NFL Free Agency: Ricky Wagner signing with Detroit Lions — report

We have been predicting for a while now that Ricky Wagner, the premier right tackle on the free-agent market, would not be joining the New York Giants. That appears to be coming to fruition as ESPN is reporting that Wagner will join the Detroit Lions provided there are no last-minute snags.

Detroit is not where I had expected Wagner, formerly with the Baltimore Ravens, to end up. Early indications had been that the Minnesota Vikings were in play for Wagner. Still, Wagner to the Lions could be considered good news for the Giants.

Why? Because that now leaves the versatile Riley Reiff, with experience at both tackle spots, without a home. Reiff, a 2012 first-round pick by Detroit, played left tackle until moving to right tackle to make room for rookie Taylor Decker in 2016. [Reiff free-agent profile]

As of now, there have been no reports of discussions between the Giants and any of the top free agent linemen. Because he is representing himself they cannot talk to Russell Okung until after the signing period begins Thursday afternoon. There has been some speculation that they might be interested in D.J. Fluker, just released by the Los Angeles Chargers, and Cleveland Browns guard/tackle Austin Pasztor.