Detroit Lions 2025 camp preview: Interior o-line competition, ability to quickly forge chemistry will be a top storyline
Over the next couple of weeks, leading into the start of training camp, we're going to take a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions' roster.
We'll analyze the projected starting situation, highlight a key camp battle, explore a burning question, and set a statistical over/under for the upcoming season.
Today, we’ll be looking at the interior of the offensive line.
Who is on the roster?
Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Miles Frazier, Kayode Awosika, Michael Niese, Netane Muti, Kingsley Eguakun, Mason Miller, Colby Sorsdal
Starting lineup outlook
Good question.
Following Frank Ragnow's retirement, a group that was already in flux is decidedly more so heading into camp.
Consider this an educated guess about how the situation will unfold. Despite several contenders for the three interior jobs, the trio that stands out as the most likely starters are Glasgow, Mahogany, and Ratledge.
Who starts where is another conversation.
Mahogany and Ratledge primarily played right guard in college. But in early offseason practices, Mahogany has been on the left side while Ratledge has been snapping.
The Lions are likely exploring the long-term viability of Ratledge at center, a position he's never played in a game at any level. While we shouldn't shut the door on any possibilities, the complex requirements that come with playing center lead me to believe Glasgow emerges as Ragnow's replacement, at least to start the season.
Camp competition to watch
All of it. The interior of the offensive line is the land of opportunity, not just with the starting lineup but throughout the depth chart.
Frazier, Muti, or Awosika could each emerge as the top backup guard with a strong training camp and preseason. Then, at center, there's room for Eguakun or Niese to push their way into the conversation as a safety blanket because they have more snapping experience than Ratledge.
The wild cards are Sorsdal and Giovanni Manu. They were listed as offensive tackles last year, but the door has been opened for both to play inside this season.
Sorsdal, who has logged practice time at all four tackle and guard spots, was doing a little snapping during OTAs. And even though we haven't seen much of Manu playing inside, he got some guard work in during practice last year. Plus, coach Dan Campbell didn't dismiss that possibility during the league meetings in early April.
A burning question
Detroit's offensive line has been a strength for several seasons, but the loss of Ragnow is a massive blow. The question becomes: What kind of drop-off should we anticipate as the team transitions to its next generation of talent up front?
Mahogany, a sixth-round pick a year ago, was excellent in two spot starts last season. However, making projections based on small sample sizes is a common pitfall. How much did he benefit from Ragnow's presence in his ear and on his shoulder?
The other concerns are about Ratledge's Day 1 preparedness and the soon-to-be 33-year-old Glasgow rebounding from a down season in 2024. If everything goes as planned, the talent level is sufficient to uphold the standard. However, the foundation is shakier than it has been in a while, with a realistic chance that the unit takes a significant step backward, denting the offense’s overall efficiency.
Setting an over/under
Interior QB sacks allowed: 15
Last year, Detroit’s interior linemen were faulted for allowing 11 sacks. It might surprise you, but former guard Kevin Zeitler led the way with five, followed by Glasgow with four and Ragnow with two.
Unless the Lions fundamentally shift to more of a quick-passing game, that sack tally is likely to increase. Jared Goff’s average snap-to-throw time is already one of the lowest in the league. Still, he’s closer to the middle of the pack with his percentage of attempts under 2.5 seconds. The league leader, Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa, sat at 63.0%, while Goff was at 41.9% in 2024.
Detroit has plenty of speed-and-space options to justify emphasizing a quick-passing attack. However, the team is unlikely to abandon some of the vertical elements of the offense, whether that’s go balls to Jameson Williams or deep in-breaking routes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. That means Goff could be more exposed to shots as the interior group develops its chemistry.
I hope they let Manu focus on developing at tackle, especially if Decker's injury lingers beyond camp.
Not even a mention for Trystan Colon? I think he's as much in the Center mix as anyone, especially as a rostered backup option.
Also, all indications point to the Lions *wanting* Tater to be their starting center. Campbell pointed out that the veteran presence on the interior of the line to help with calling out protections doesn't have to be positioned at center. I think the job is Ratledge's unless he proves too green, but I don't think that's the case. Both Ratledge and Mahogany were billed as "ready to play in the NFL on day 1" sort of guys.
Unlike Charlie Brown, I have amazing powers of denial.