Larry Warford overachieved as a rare third-round draft gem of former general manager Martin Mayhew. In his rookie season, Warford played all 16 games at right guard, looking like a seasoned pro. He outperformed the rest of the team’s offensive lineman in 2013. For those who forgot, the Lions’ offensive line was actually quite good during the 2013 season. They had a rare 1,000-yard-rusher in Reggie Bush, along with 1,000 all-purpose yards from complementary-back, Joique Bell. Pro Football Focus graded the group out as a top-5 offensive line that season.
The sudden rebirth was truly spearheaded by Warford’s play at right guard.