The Detroit Lions experienced a significant change in their offensive line after starting guard Kevin Zeitler left for the Tennessee Titans, creating a vacancy at right guard. Christian Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick, was initially the favorite to fill this gap, but the Lions' 2025 draft selections of Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier introduced new competition. Ratledge, a decorated player from Georgia, and Frazier, an experienced starter from LSU, will compete with Mahogany for the starting position during training camp and preseason. Despite Mahogany's impressive stats from limited play in 2024, the Lions might consider the rookies for starting roles, potentially reshaping their lineup. These decisions will be influenced by their performance in adapting to the NFL and the team's need to protect quarterback Jared Goff and support its running game effectively.

Kevin Zeitler's transfer to the Tennessee Titans left a vacancy in the Detroit Lions' offensive line, prompting a competition for the starting right guard position.

Christian Mahogany emerged as the initial favorite for the position due to the Lions not acquiring any veteran offensive linemen during early free agency waves.

The 2025 NFL draft saw the Lions selecting Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier, both of whom bring strong college credentials, thereby intensifying the competition for the starting guard role.

Tate Ratledge has a notable college career with Georgia, having played 38 games, winning two national championships, and earning All-SEC and All-American honors twice.

Miles Frazier, who began at Florida International and transferred to LSU, started 39 games over three seasons and earned Freshman All-American honors.

Christian Mahogany, despite limited playtime in 2024, showed promise with high rankings in pass-blocking and run-blocking according to Pro Football Focus.

The Lions' decision on the starting lineup will depend on how well Ratledge and Frazier adapt to NFL play and could also involve changes at left guard considering Graham Glasgow's underwhelming performance in 2024.

This offseason, the Detroit Lions lost a key piece of their offensive line, as starting guard Kevin Zeitler signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Zeitler's departure left an opportunity for competition at right guard, but 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany was the favorite to win the job after the Lions failed to add a single veteran offensive lineman through the first waves of free agency.

However, in the 2025 NFL draft, Detroit used their second-round pick (No. 57) on Georgia guard Tate Ratledge and their fifth-round pick (No. 171) on LSU guard Miles Frazier, who will likely now battle Mahogany for the starting job in training camp and the preseason.

Ratledge, 24, played 38 games for the Bulldogs over his five collegiate seasons. He won two national championships and earned All-SEC and All-American honors twice.

Frazier, 23, played 15 games at Florida International, earning Freshman All-American Honors with the Owls. He transferred to LSU in 2022 and started all 39 games over three seasons.

Mahogany played just 75 offensive snaps in 2024, but he earned an 81.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him seventh among 136 guards. He also received an 82.6 pass-blocking grade (fourth) and an 80.8 run-blocking grade (10th).

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Mahogany could still win the job, but now he'll have legit competition, and left guard could also be open with Graham Glasgow not exactly having his best season in 2024. PFF gave the 32-year-old a 58.9 overall grade (85th) a 57.8 run-blocking grade (91st) and a 56.2 pass-blocking grade (88th).

Dan Campbell will want the best group out there to protect Jared Goff and provide running lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. If he thinks the two rookies are his best options, he could ride with both of them and possibly move on from Glasgow and Mahogany or keep them around as depth options.

However, there's plenty of time for those decisions to be made. Over the next few months, Ratledge and Frazier have to learn a new offense and adapt to playing at NFL speeds before they can worry about winning any jobs as rookies.

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