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So on the first Friday of May, we learned that not one but two former Iowa left tackles will be making their full-time NFL debuts at the position here in the NFC North.

(The similarities don't end there. Both were the No. 23 overall pick of their respective drafts, and both have overcome the often-career ending diagnosis of short arms. Anyhoo …)

We've fully covered the path that the Detroit Lions took to naming Riley Reiff their left tackle -- namely, waiting to see if they found a better option in the draft. Now let's take a closer look at the Green Bay Packers' decision to shift Bryan Bulaga to the position four years after he last played there.

Like the Lions, the Packers waited to see what options -- if any -- the 2013 draft would bring them. Three left tackles were already off the board when the Lions chose at No. 5 overall, so it was hardly surprising that the Packers couldn't find an alternative at No. 26 and beyond.

Monday, coach Mike McCarthy made the move that, frankly, I have assumed would be a measure of last resort. After all, if the Packers had always planned for Bulaga to follow the retired Chad Clifton, then why didn't they plug him in last season rather than experimenting with Marshall Newhouse?

My guess is the Packers knew Bulaga had developed into one of the NFL's better right tackles and didn't want to disrupt a good thing if at all possible. They hoped someone -- either Newhouse or 2011 first-rounder Derek Sherrod -- would grow into the left tackle's job.

That hasn't happened. Sherrod hasn't played since breaking his leg in December 2011. Newhouse was the starter for most of the past two seasons, but over that time he allowed more sacks (16, according to Pro Football Focus) than every full-time NFL left tackle except the Chicago Bears' J'Marcus Webb (19).

The Packers realized that the best tackle on their roster was playing the less challenging of the two positions. And, for that matter, their best guard was also playing away from the blind side of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. When you look at it that way, and you remember McCarthy's offseason goal of improving the left side of the line, you understand why Bulaga is now their left tackle and Josh Sitton is the left guard.

That part makes sense. Bulaga might well be the Packers' best option to play left tackle. Whether he is a good option overall, of course, is a separate issue.

He was available at No. 23 overall in 2009 in part because, yes, his arms measured shorter than the prototypical left tackle, potentially putting him at a reach and leverage disadvantage. And no matter how much good work Bulaga quietly did on the right side over the years, it's difficult for any of us to forget how overmatched he looked in Week 3 last season against the Seattle Seahawks' speed and power pass-rushers.

PFF credited Bulaga for two sacks allowed in that game, along with another hit and eight more quarterback hurries. McCarthy received a fair amount of criticism for his play-calling in that game, which didn't alleviate the pressure on Bulaga and Newhouse quickly enough. But for the most part, you hope that your left tackle can hold his own more often than not against edge pass-rushers.

McCarthy is far more liberal about moving offensive linemen than many NFL coaches, so in itself, close observers can't be shocked by his response. In fact, at least four of the Packers' five presumed starters have made NFL starts at a minimum of two positions.

McCarthy has prioritized the left side of the line over the right, as many coaches would do. But will this solution work? Or is it a short-term bridge until the Packers find the next left tackle they want to experiment with? We'll soon find out.

Note: In total, we will have three new left tackles in the NFC North this season. Bulaga replaces Newhouse. Reiff replaces the retired Jeff Backus, and Jermon Bushrod replaces Webb, whom the Bears moved to right tackle.

NFC North teams added dozens of intriguing young players over the weekend. They filled glaring holes and added to already-established strengths. Some areas remain weak, of course, while other selections created new storylines we hadn't anticipated.

So here's my post-draft plan. We'll use this post to lay out the unfilled holes and new storylines and then circle back over the next days and weeks as needed. I'll also sprinkle in some interesting and/or offbeat stories that emerged from the draft but would have been buried if I had posted them over the weekend.

Issue: The Green Bay Packers continued signaling potential change at left tackle.
Analysis: Coach Mike McCarthy said in March that the team needed better play from its left tackle position, manned last season by Marshall Newhouse. Then the Packers went out and drafted Colorado's David Bakhtiari and Cornell's J.C. Tretter in the fourth round. Bakhtiari has played left and right tackle; Tretter played tackle as well but might project as a guard. Saturday, McCarthy left all options open at the position -- including moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga back to the position he played at Iowa. McCarthy also said he is "really counting" on Derek Sherrod, the Packers' top pick in 2011 who hasn't played since breaking his leg late that season, to compete for the job. Don Barclay, who started four games last season at right tackle (plus another two in the playoffs), is also in the mix. Suddenly, the Packers have six legitimate possibilities to compete for the left and right tackle spots if they want. Moving Bulaga isn't as easy as it sounds, and there is something to be said for leaving him at a position he has excelled at. But it's telling that the Packers are even considering it.

Issue: The Packers drafted 11 players, but none of them were safeties.
Analysis: General manager Ted Thompson said afterwards that he has faith in incumbents M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian, who will compete to play alongside Morgan Burnett. We'll see if the Packers feel compelled to kick the tires on a veteran. Among those available are Quintin Mikell, Kerry Rhodes and Gerald Sensabaugh. Historically, the Packers' approach has been to evaluate younger incumbents first before seeking veteran replacements elsewhere.

Issue: None of the Minnesota Vikings' nine draft choices play middle linebacker.
Analysis: We should note that the Vikings used a seventh-round pick on Penn State's Michael Mauti, who has been projected as a middle/inside linebacker by some. But Mauti is recovering from his third career ACL tear and can't be counted on to fill any sort of significant role. Internal candidates include Erin Henderson, the strong-side linebacker whom the Vikings have said could play inside if needed, and 2012 seventh-round pick Audie Cole. The elephant in the room is veteran Brian Urlacher, who was reported at one point this spring to have had conversations with Vikings officials. Urlacher isn't anything close to the profile of the player general manager Rick Spielman typically brings in, but this is an extenuating circumstance. Remember, the Vikings used their nickel defense on 58.9 percent of their snaps last season. Whomever plays middle linebacker for the Vikings could be off the field for two of every five snaps.

Issue: The Vikings used a fifth-round pick to make Jeff Locke the first punter drafted.
Analysis: In the past five years, four punters have been selected with a fifth-round pick or higher. All four became their team's primary punters in their rookie seasons. There is every reason to believe the Vikings plan for Locke to replace veteran Chris Kluwe, perhaps as soon as they get a look at him during their rookie minicamp this summer. I know that Spielman said Locke was brought in "to compete" for the job, but that competition will be short and one-sided. NFL teams don't use draft picks on specialists unless they are certain they want to make a change.

Issue: The Detroit Lions didn't draft an offensive tackle after the departure of both 2012 starters.
Analysis: Riley Reiff, the Lions' top draft choice in 2012, will start at left tackle. The Lions' right tackle could be Jason Fox or Corey Hilliard. That still leaves the Lions thin along the line, especially at right guard if rookie Larry Warford isn't ready to step in right away. Regardless, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew made clear the Lions need to add more depth. "We're really young there so we'll look at some veteran guys there I think over the next few weeks."

Issue: The Lions didn't draft a receiver until the sixth round (Virginia Tech's Corey Fuller), but they almost….
Analysis: According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Lions told Michigan's Denard Robinson that they planned to draft him with the No. 136 overall pick. Mayhew had spoken before the draft about Robinson's potential as a "slash" player from the backfield and/or slot receiver position. Robinson, however, was selected at No. 135 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Eventually the Lions used the No. 166 overall pick to select Notre Dame's Theo Riddick, who is not as explosive as Robinson but is a good receiver out of the backfield in his own right. Ultimately, the Lions finished this draft thin at the traditional receiver position given the injury rehabilitations of Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles.

Issue: The Chicago Bears did not draft a quarterback, seemingly leaving Josh McCown as the primary backup to Jay Cutler.
Analysis: The Bears figured to be a candidate to draft a quarterback in part because of coach Marc Trestman's expertise in developing them and in part to end the cycle of searching for a veteran backup each year. In the end, the Bears couldn't justify drafting one given their limited number of picks. (They started with five and through trades finished with six.) Said general manager Phil Emery: "Things would have to line up perfect to take a quarterback with five picks." McCown was relatively impressive during a two-start stint to end the 2011 season, but overall he has played in a total of six games over the past five seasons. I wouldn't call this the Bears' most pressing need, and the Bears signaled as much with their draft results.

Issue: The Bears feel better about their tight end situation than most draft pundits.
Analysis: Many draft analysts thought the Bears would draft Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert if they had a chance, but they passed him up Thursday night in favor of offensive lineman Kyle Long. Eifert went one pick later to the Cincinnati Bengals. It's true that Eifert would have been a luxury pick given the free-agent acquisition of tight end Martellus Bennett, but in the larger sense he would have been another weapon for quarterback Jay Cutler's make-or-break season.

If it wasn't apparent already, the Detroit Lions made it clear Friday evening: Riley Reiff will be their left tackle in 2013.

The Lions could have drafted a left tackle in either the second or third rounds of this draft, but instead they selected Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay and Kentucky guard Larry Warford, respectively. Both players fill needs and were better value picks than a left tackle, a position that drops off significantly after the top of the first round, and the Lions weren't in desperate shape there to begin with.

As we discussed Thursday, we'll never know how interested the Lions were in drafting an elite left tackle and moving Reiff to right guard or right tackle. The draft's top three left tackles were all off the board when the Lions' turn arrived at No. 5. Conventional wisdom suggested they would have taken advantage of the opportunity to have a stronger line across the board, but they have no incentive to confirm that now.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz told Detroit-area reporters, in fact, that the Lions were prepared to use Reiff at left tackle as soon as they learned of Jeff Backus' retirement.

"That's why we drafted him," Schwartz said. "Again, when Backus got hurt last year, that's why we played [Reiff] there. You never say never. You never know who is going to become available, what's going to happen. But we drafted him as a left tackle. We thought he could play right tackle, we think he can play guard.

"You know, Riley, if you gave him time, could probably play center too. He played tight end for us. He's that kind of athlete. He's a guy that can move around and do those things, but we drafted him as a left tackle. Probably, with the way things ended up here, we'll probably start him off there. We have a lot of confidence in him. I mean, that's why we drafted him last year. Last year, Riley was the second offensive lineman picked."

Reiff will play next to veteran left guard Rob Sims, and it's assumed that veteran Dominic Raiola will hold on to his job for another year. Warford could compete at right guard with Bill Nagy and Rodney Austin. Meanwhile, Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard could compete at right tackle.

The Lions have five draft picks remaining Saturday, but it's difficult to expect a rookie starter coming after the third round. It happens, but not enough to count on it. Unless the Lions decide to jump back into free agency, chances are they'll roll this season with the offensive linemen now on their roster.

And so, in the end, the Detroit Lions never got a chance to tell us how they feel about their left tackle situation. When their No. 5 overall pick arrived Thursday night, all three of the 2013 draft's elite left tackles were already off the board in unprecedented fashion.

My understanding is that the Lions worked hard to trade down after Eric Fisher (Kansas City Chiefs), Luke Joeckel (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles) were all among the top four selections. When no suitable trade arose, the Lions pivoted to Plan B: BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, a potentially dominant pass-rusher whose story is one of the most amazing in recent draft history.

Almost unknown in NFL draft circles when the college season began, Ansah recorded a grand total of 4.5 sacks last season at BYU. But he had an eye-popping performance in the Senior Bowl, in front of the Lions' coaching staff, and his raw physical skills left talent evaluators drooling at the NFL scouting combine.

I started leaning away from Ansah as a possibility for the Lions last week when general manager Martin Mayhew suggested he might not make a "Dave Kingman" choice in the first round. In other words, Mayhew seemed to acknowledge the shaky position the franchise is in after a 4-12 season. This year might not have been the right time to swing for the fences. A safer pick -- a left tackle or perhaps Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner -- seemed in order.

Ultimately, we should have relied on a discussion from earlier this month. Under Mayhew, the Lions haven't shied away from drafting players who don't fit the profile we're expecting. He was most certainly willing to take a big swing in this draft, as in any other.

At 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds, Ansah is built like some of the NFL's top pass-rushers, having drawn favorable comparisons to the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul and the San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith. His athletic skills, documented in the Sport Science video we posted recently, are freakish, and it's hard to imagine him getting much attention from opposing offenses who also have to deal with Lions defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.

But Ansah essentially has one year of successful college pass rushing to his name. NFL draft history is littered with freakish athletes who couldn't play football. The truth is we don't know if Ezekiel Ansah can play. ESPN's Mel Kiper, for instance, said Ansah had the most meteoric rise of any player he's evaluated in 35 years of working the draft.

Even if Ansah realizes the potential of his physical skills, will he do it in time to save this edition of the Lions? It's optimistic at least, and a reach at worst, to think Ansah will be ready to make the kind of immediate impact you hope for from a No. 5 overall pick.

I would understand if Lions fans are a little skittish with how things worked out. Riley Reiff, a player seemingly destined to play right guard, will most likely be the Lions' left tackle. Milliner won't arrive to help a long-suffering secondary. Ansah, to be fair, has some work to do before he can help the 2013 team in the way that Johnson or Milliner could have.

For that reason, I give Mayhew much credit. He didn't panic. He didn't take the easiest and safest way out. He went Dave Kingman on the deal. It'll be a home run or a strikeout with the game on the line. Love it.

Earlier: The Ansah scenario picked up steam Thursday morning.

Our 2013 #bloggermock took an early twist and left me only partially satisfied as the protector of NFC North interests. Of note: Not a single quarterback was drafted in the first round, something that hasn't happened in the real draft since 1996. We also passed up the running back position in the first round, which that hasn't happened since the common draft began in 1967.

Below are the players I would up picking for the NFC North and my reasoning in each instance.

5. Detroit Lions
My pick: Oklahoma left tackle Lane Johnson
Final decision: Between Johnson, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah
Process and reasoning: The Lions' true intentions are tough to read at left tackle. When they drafted Riley Reiff at No. 23 overall last year, we all assumed he was the heir apparent at the position. Since the retirement of incumbent Jeff Backus, however, the Lions have emphasized Reiff's versatility and suggested he could play right guard or right tackle. To me, versatility is irrelevant if you have a true long-term answer at left tackle.

It's possible the Lions are deliberately clouding Reiff's future to hide their draft intentions. In the end, I thought the No. 5 pick was a great place to find a blue-chip left tackle and further strengthen the Lions' line by allowing Reiff to start at right guard or right tackle.

Johnson might be the third-best left tackle in the draft, but draft analysts have suggested that's a matter of experience more than aptitude. I had a brief pre-draft trade discussion with AFC East blogger James Walker, who wanted to use the Miami Dolphins' No. 12 overall pick to move up and draft a left tackle. But there was no way Johnson would be available at No. 12, so I needed much more than what Walker was offering (a second-round pick) to pass up getting him.

I know I've pushed the Lions to draft a cornerback like Milliner for years, but finding a left tackle can be even more difficult. I was tempted by Ansah, but decided to gamble that some decent defensive ends would make it to the top of the second round. In this mock, three of Mel Kiper's top five defensive ends would be available after the first: UCLA's Datone Jones, Auburn's Corey Lemonier and Florida State's Tank Carradine.

20. Chicago Bears
My pick: Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree
Final decision: There wasn't much debate.
Process and reasoning: I did not expect Ogletree to be available at No. 20 and knew it would be difficult for the Bears to move up. But once he made it past the New Orleans Saints at No. 15, I thought I had a chance. The New York Giants have been speculated as a possible landing spot, but the Giants haven't selected a linebacker in the first round since 1984 (Carl Banks).

I'm still not sure Ogletree will be available at No. 20 in the real draft Thursday night, but in this case -- with Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert already off the board -- I couldn't justify passing him up as a long-term replacement for Brian Urlacher.

23 and 25. Minnesota Vikings
My picks: North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden
Final decision: Between Williams, Hayden, Cal receiver Keenan Allen, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o
Process and reasoning: I really do think that Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has genuine interest in Te'o and wants to draft him. In looking back on this mock, I just got too greedy and sneaky for my own good.

I had enough ammunition to move up, but for whom? Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson went way too high (No. 8 to the Buffalo Bills), and West Virginia's Tavon Austin was gone at No. 13. Is Austin worth even an extra second-round pick to the Vikings? I couldn't do it.

Ogletree plays a position of need, but I felt sketchy about giving up extra draft choices for a player with multiple off-field flags in the past year.

So my plan was to grab two really good non-middle linebackers and then cross my fingers that someone, perhaps even Te'o, would be available in the second round, where Spielman could work some trade magic and grab one. It almost worked. Te'o made it to No. 32, where the Baltimore Ravens drafted him just after learning that Rolando McClain had been arrested once again.

Media analysis is split on whether Te'o is significantly better than the next tier of middle linebackers, and most people think the Vikings are most interested in him. So if the Vikings passed, I thought there was a chance he would tumble. In the end, that's why I passed him over even though I'm not sure Spielman will.

As for receiver, I had my eyes on Tennessee's Justin Hunter, but he went one slot ahead at No. 22. So I went with Williams, who could be a long-term replacement for Kevin Williams, and Hayden. I had a small chance to trade down, but the best offer I got to move from No. 25 to the top of the second round at No. 35 was an additional fifth-round pick. Not good enough. The cornerback class drops off after the first round, and Washington's Desmond Trufant was already off the board. In this scenario, the Vikings would be in position to maneuver in the second round for a receiver. Among those who are left is Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins.

26. Green Bay Packers
My pick: Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins
Final decision: Between Jenkins, Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh, Florida State offensive tackle Menelik Watson
Process and reasoning: The honest truth of the matter is that I was just guessing here. Congratulations to the Packers. No one ever knows for sure who a team is going to draft, but this year, no one really has anything more than a guess on the Packers. They appear to be interested in improving their defensive line, at least based on their limited activity in free agency, and Jenkins seemed the best of what was still remaining on the board. I don't mind saying he was even more of a guess than usual.

I thought Scouts Inc.'s Steve Muench brought up an interesting suggestion during our video discussion Wednesday, one that went against conventional wisdom and will depend largely on the Detroit Lions' internal evaluation of what many consider the third-best left tackle in the draft.

If left tackles Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M) and Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) are both off the board by the Lions' No. 5 overall pick, Muench suggested the Lions draft Oklahoma's Lane Johnson rather than a defensive end such as Oregon's Dion Jordan or LSU's Barkevious Mingo. The defensive end class is deep, Muench reasoned, and the Lions should have access to a good one at the top of the second round.

Would Johnson be a reach at No. 5? I wouldn't assume that fact based simply on his media ranking below Joeckel and Fisher. Johnson is a tremendous athlete, as evidenced by a stunning performance at the scouting combine, and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the fifth-best prospect in the draft . Scouts Inc. ranks Johnson at No. 10 overall.

Johnson, who was a quarterback at Kilgore Junior College, ran the 40-yard dash at the combine in 4.72 seconds and recorded a 34-inch vertical jump. Those attributes don't necessarily mean Johnson will be an elite left tackle, but they indicate he has room to grow and develop after what was already a well-regarded career at Oklahoma. He is also 6-foot-6 with 35 1/4-inch arms, measurements that should satisfy the NFL scouting community.

Of course, Johnson's presumably high ceiling is only part of the equation here. We still don't know how the Lions A) Judge their need for a left tackle and B) evaluate Johnson. Their 2012 first-round pick, Riley Reiff, played left tackle at Iowa and made one start there last season. But offseason discussion about his versatility has spurred suggestions that the Lions would prefer to play him at right guard or right tackle.

Ultimately, however, I think we should accept that the Lions' options for drafting a left tackle at No. 5 aren't completely eliminated if Joeckel and Fisher are already off the board.

Thursday, we reviewed Mel Kiper Jr.'s fourth mock draft. Meanwhile, fellow ESPN analyst Todd McShay posted an update to his fourth mock. Two of the NFC North's five first-round picks changed in McShay 4.1, which I will pass along below.

At No. 5 overall, McShay now has the Detroit Lions drafting Central Michigan left tackle Eric Fisher instead of BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, who is already off the board on this update. My feelings haven't changed on this issue. It's rare when you get a chance to draft an elite left tackle, assuming that's what the Lions think Fisher is. If they don't, then they have another option with Riley Reiff.

Meanwhile, McShay has the Minnesota Vikings drafting Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o at No. 25 instead of Cal receiver Keenan Allen, who was off the board by No. 25 in this update. Both Allen and Te'o visited the Vikings' practice facility this week.

McShay had the same players going to the Chicago Bears (Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert) Green Bay Packers (Florida State tackle Menelik Watson) and Vikings at No. 23 (Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner) as he did in his 4.0 mock.

Everyone and their brother is excited about the Detroit Lions' potential for a balanced and explosive offense after the acquisition of running back Reggie Bush. It all makes perfect sense. What could go wrong?

One overlooked aspect, at least from a national perspective, is that the Lions will have a majority of new starters on the offensive line. Replacements for left tackle Jeff Backus, right tackle Gosder Cherilus and right guard Stephen Peterman won't be veteran free agents with years of experience. They will be former backups, spot starters and possibly a rookie as well.

The Lions have expressed confidence in their succession plan, although the details of it remain contingent on the draft and offseason competition. So I'll just say this: The Lions will have done an exceptional job in transition if they don't experience at least a few bumps from their offensive line in 2013.

"We have confidence in the guys that we've had there and that we've worked hard to develop," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said this week at the NFL owners meeting. "We've been prepared for it. Last year, if it had happened, we would have been prepared for it. We had what we considered good depth on our offensive line. It just wasn't tested. It didn't mean we weren't prepared for it to be. We've been comfortable with all of those guys."

To this point, however, the Lions aren't ready to start assigning positions to a group of starting candidates that includes Riley Reiff, Jason Fox, Corey Hilliard, Bill Nagy and Rodney Austin. Most notably, the Lions won't say if Reiff will play left tackle, the position he was drafted at last year, because he can also play right tackle and right guard.

In my experience, no teams consider using a true, genuine, franchise left tackle at another position. They are so difficult to find, and so unique in many ways, that it would make no sense to waste the qualities necessary to play there on a position that doesn't require them.

So that leaves us to draw one of two conclusions on Reiff: Either the Lions aren't convinced he is a long-term answer at left tackle or they don't want to tip their draft strategy by locking him in there publicly. As it stands now, the Lions could be in the market for one of the draft's blue chip left tackles with the No. 5 overall pick in next month's draft.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew told reporters he "could see" Reiff playing left tackle this season but couldn't commit to that. Schwartz said Reiff's versatility makes him a candidate to play left tackle, right tackle or right guard.

"So it is a little bit in limbo I guess," Schwartz said. "But we're not practicing right now. It's not like he's being set back right now. It's not like we're spinning our wheels with him playing defensive line or something like that. All the guys right now are training and doing conditioning on their own."

If the Lions don't draft a left tackle in the first round, you would have to assume Reiff will open the season there. The dominoes should start falling next month.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

PHOENIX -- The Detroit Lions drafted a left tackle in the first round of the 2012 draft. In 2013, their longtime left tackle retired. But it's apparently not as simple as connecting the dots between the retirement of Jeff Backus and the presumed ascendance of Riley Reiff at the position.

Speaking to Detroit-area reporters at the NFL owners meeting, general manager Martin Mayhew said "I could see [Reiff] at left tackle" this season but left open the possibility he could play another position as well. Mayhew also touted inexperienced backups Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard as promising, and noted that Reiff can play several positions.

Your best left tackle on the roster should play the position, even if he can also play guard. It's much easier to find a guard than a left tackle, generally speaking. The Lions' indecision on Reiff's position could indicate mixed beliefs on his attitude as a long-term left tackle.

On the other hand, Mayhew might simply not want to telegraph his draft strategy at No. 5 overall. If he names Reiff the starter, it probably rules out the possibility that he would draft a left tackle in the first round.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions' pursuit of big-time free agents is over, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Running back Jahvid Best could spend 2013 on the Lions' physically unable to perform list, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Lions receiver Calvin Johnson restructured his contract and saved the team $3.4 million against the 2013 salary cap, notes Brian McIntyre of Yahoo's Shutdown Corner blog.
• The Chicago Bears have completely revamped their leadership roles over the past three years. Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune explains.
• Linebacker Brian Urlacher will need to take a massive pay cut to remain with the Bears, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• The Bears are pursuing free agent tight end Steve Maneri, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has details of the pay cut Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk took last week. In essence, he will earn $7.25 million less than he was scheduled to over the next three seasons.
• Receiver Greg Jennings spoke with retired quarterback Brett Favre before leaving the Packers and signing with the Minnesota Vikings, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette outlines some offseason changes underway in Green Bay.
• Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is upbeat about his team's offseason, writes Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
• Vikings ownership has high expectations for Frazier, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.

We've known the possibility has existed for most of this offseason, but in the midst of the NFL's free-agent frenzy, the news still came as a surprise. Jeff Backus announced his retirement, meaning the Lions will enter the 2013 season with a different left tackle for the first time in 13 years.

I know Backus took some heat from Lions fans over the years, but the nature of his career speaks to how difficult it is to fill the left tackle position. Regardless of any mid-career struggles he might have had, he played in 192 of a possible 193 games -- including playoffs -- after the Lions made him their first-round draft pick in 2001. His departure will transition the Lions' offensive line makeover into an outright overhaul this offseason.

Already the Lions have bid farewell to right guard Stephen Peterman (via release) and right tackle Gosder Cherilus (via free agency). Center Dominic Raiola took a significant pay cut to remain with the team, and 2013 could be his final season with the team. Left guard Rob Sims is the only other established starter.

But before filling the right tackle and right guard positions, the Lions must prioritize Backus' replacement -- and decide whether it merits a push to the top of their draft strategy.

One option, of course, is 2012 first-round pick Riley Reiff, who played left tackle at Iowa and made one start there as a rookie last season. But the Lions have never committed to Reiff as their long-term plan at left tackle, at least not publicly. At the NFL scouting combine last month, general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz the Lions have said they were considering their options for Reiff's final destination, one of which includes right guard.

That was before Backus' retirement, of course, but when you are a bona fide left tackle in the NFL, there is never much of a conversation about whether you should play there or right guard.

If Reiff isn't the answer, the Lions could take advantage of their draft position at No. 5 overall and pick the best left tackle available, whether it is Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan's Eric Fisher. For what it's worth, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Fisher as the best left tackle available, followed by Joeckel and Oklahoma's Lane Johnson.

In a way, the Lions are fortunate that Backus retired at a time when they had a high-enough draft position to ensure a blue-chip replacement if that's what they want. Consider it his final contribution to the team.

If the Detroit Lions have decided to move on from right tackle Gosder Cherilus, a believable scenario considering their recent moves and his injury history, then they have secured another competitor to replace him. Corey Hilliard, a swing backup at both tackle positions over the past four seasons, has signed a two-year contract extension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Hilliard did not appear in a game in 2012, but would probably get a chance to win the right tackle job if the Lions open the competition this offseason. Based on the way Lions officials spoke last month at the NFL scouting combine, Jason Fox -- a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 -- is the leading candidate to win the job.

If Fox or Hilliard man the right tackle position, Riley Reiff -- the Lions' first-round draft pick in 2012 -- could play right guard. That, of course, assumes left tackle Jeff Backus does not retire and returns for a 12th season. Cherilus, the Lions' right tackle since he was their first-round draft choice in 2008, recently sought treatment for his knee in Europe, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Yes, as we've discussed several times, the Lions' offensive line is in flux this offseason. Hilliard gives them another option as they put the puzzle together.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Watching offensive linemen work out Saturday brought to mind the Detroit Lions' efforts in that regard.

The Lions have spent a few drafts building to a moment when they would turn over their own line, and that time has arrived. All that's left to know is whether it will take place in one season or be a two-year transition.

Already, the Lions have released right guard Stephen Peterman. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus is a pending free agent and left tackle Jeff Backus could retire. Center Dominic Raiola appears to have bought himself another season by restructuring a contract that will expire at this time next year.

So who will take over? We know that 2012 first-round draft pick Riley Reiff will start somewhere, be it at guard or tackle. Here at the NFL scouting combine, I was a little surprised to hear general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz repeatedly mention Jason Fox -- a little-used fourth-round draft pick in 2010 -- as a leading candidate to start as well.

Fox was limited by injuries in college as well as in his first two seasons with the Lions. He has played in five NFL games, only one over the past two seasons, and that was a six-snap outing on special teams in Week 12 last season. But he is 6-foot-6, 314 pounds and won't turn 25 until May.

"Jason Fox obviously had the injuries in his first couple seasons," Mayhew said. "He was able to stay healthy all last year, but we also stayed healthy at the tackle position. He didn’t play very much for us. We think he has starter-type talent level. He has the size. He's a strong enough guy. He's a good technician. He's a hard worker. We think he has the ability to start for us."

It would be rare, but not unheard of, for an injury-plagued player to emerge from three years of inactivity to become a starter. But if the Lions need or want to replace most of their starters in one offseason, that's the kind of elevation they'll need to make.

There are some other little-used players remaining from the Lions' 2012 roster who could compete for starting jobs as well, including: guard-center Billy Nagy to guard Rodney Austin to tackle Corey Hilliard, a pending free agent himself.

In either case, by 2014, four of the five positions will assuredly have new starters. Left guard Rob Sims is the only player who figures to still be in his current role. The Lions are about to get young in a hurry on their offensive line.

The Detroit Lions' release of receiver Titus Young on Monday was a purely character-based decision. Tuesday, the Lions are continuing to slash their roster -- but in this case with an eye toward the salary cap.

Releasing right guard Stephen Peterman, as first reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, would save the Lions $3.25 million in cap space for 2013, according to data I've seen. Peterman started 48 consecutive games for the Lions over the past three years, but he is 31 and struggled as a pass blocker in 2012. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed more combined sacks, hits and hurries (45) than any NFL guard last season.

It's worth keeping an eye on several other veterans as the Lions seek additional cap space. The team could shave about just under $5 million of defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch's projected $10.6 million cap hit if they release him before a $2 million roster bonus is due next month, and they could get another $4 million if they release center Dominic Raiola. *Update: The Lions will release Vanden Bosch today, according to the team's web site reporter. I'll have more in a bit on this.

More than anything, those moves would give the Lions a much different look at offensive line after three full seasons of the same group. I'm not sure if they're prepared to initiate a full-scale overhaul of their offensive line this offseason, but hopefully you recall John Clayton's "Rule of 150" for offensive lines. It's coming at some point, if not immediately.

Clayton believes that if the combined ages of your starting offensive line is above 150, it's time to start rebuilding. The group the Lions finished the season with have a combined age of 157.

You figure that 2012 first-round draft pick Riley Reiff will be a starter in 2013, but it's not clear where. Peterman will soon be officially off the books. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus is a pending free agent, and left tackle Jeff Backus will be 36 in September. About the only lock to return is left guard Rob Sims. As we discussed last summer, the Lions claimed former Dallas Cowboys center Bill Nagy and stashed him on injured reserve. He could figure in the mix at guard or center. We'll update as warranted.

» Final Word: Texans-Lions | Redskins-Cowboys | Patriots-Jets

Three nuggets of knowledge about Thursday's game at Ford Field:

Thanksgiving doldrums: The Detroit Lions have lost eight consecutive Thanksgiving Day games and are matched up against the NFL's best team, at least according to ESPN.com's weekly Power Rankings. The Houston Texans are 9-1 this season, including 4-0 on the road, and the Lions will have to rally in a hurry after losing a late lead last Sunday to fall to 4-6. Their dismissal of disruptive receiver Titus Young, at least for one week, could be a wakeup call.

End of era: Nothing will be official until 90 minutes before the game, but indications are that left tackle Jeff Backus won't play because of a hamstring injury. If that's the case, we won't just see the end of Backus' run of 186 consecutive starts. We'll also a rare disruption in what has become the NFL's most consistent deployment of an offensive line. Since the start of the 2010 season, Backus has joined Rob Sims, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman and Gosder Cherilus to play 2,382 of a possible 2,887 snaps. Over that stretch, no other offensive line has played more than 1,466 snaps together. In fact, before Backus left last Sunday's game, the Lions' five linemen had played every snap of the season together. Rookie Riley Reiff is expected to make his first NFL start in Backus' place.

Pressuring Stafford: If the Texans stay true to form, the Lions' offense line will face much more pressure than it typically does. Through 11 weeks, the Texans have the NFL's highest blitz percentage at 45.2 percent. Historically, though, opponents have blitzed Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford rarely and preferred to drop maximum defenders in coverage. This season, Stafford has been blitzed on 15.3 percent of his dropbacks, the league's lowest rate. You wonder if the Texans will back off as well.

(Programming note: Tweet me your Thanksgiving photos for use in a slideshow later this week. The NFC North blog handle is @espn_nfcnblog. It can be Lions-related or reflect any other NFC North team.)

» Final Word: Texans-Lions | Redskins-Cowboys | Patriots-Jets

Three things to watch Thursday in the Texans' game at Detroit:

Covering Megatron: Calvin Johnson averages 16.2 yards per catch and is as threatening as anyone in the NFL. Typically the Texans would feel good about matching up with a player like Johnson, because cornerback Johnathan Joseph tracks a team’s top receiver all over the field. But Joseph is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. He played through a groin injury earlier in the season but had a couple of poor performances. If he plays with this injury, how will he fare? If he’s a scratch, Alan Ball will start in his place, but the Texans won’t put one defender on Johnson. A week after a terrible coverage game against Jacksonville, corners Kareem Jackson, Ball and Brice McCain and safeties Danieal Manning and Glover Quin will have to collectively hold down Johnson and the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense.

Riley Reiff: The Lions first-round draft pick is likely to start at left tackle in place of Lions stalwart Jeff Backus, who’s dealing with a hamstring injury. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will surely scheme and move people around to challenge and attack Reiff. The best way to do that in the base defense is to get end J.J. Watt going against Reiff. The defensive player of the year candidate’s effort hasn’t changed, but he has been limited to two sacks in his past four games. Weakside linebacker Connor Barwin can also be expected to get chances to rush against Reiff. Odds are the rookie blocker will also get help from tight ends and running backs chipping and trying to help slow pursuit of Matthew Stafford.

Special teams: Rookie returner Keshawn Martin made some big plays last week against the Jaguars, with a 71-yard punt return and a 54-yard kickoff return. The Texans have been better overall on special teams since their Oct. 28 bye, when they emphasized getting things cleaned up. Detroit’s had some miserable special-teams performances this season and the Lions are 28th in defending punt returns. Houston should be able to ensure the Lions have to drive a long field, as Detroit is the NFL’s worst team in the league on kickoff returns. And the Texans could get some good starting field position as the Lions have the worst punting average in the NFL.