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Detroit Lions offensive line continues taking shape

By Justin Ochsner

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Frank Ragnow of Arkansas after he was picked #20 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Frank Ragnow of Arkansas after he was picked #20 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions offensive line is starting to take shape after selecting Arkansas center Frank Ragnow in the first round of the NFL Draft this April.

The Detroit Lions offseason program is shedding some light on how players will be used in 2018. One of the insights includes the position where first-round draft pick Frank Ragnow will start along the offensive line.

Ragnow was drafted to solidify the completely overhauled line protecting Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and blocking for whichever running back is on the field. There were a few questions about where he would line up this season and it appears those questions are now answered.

Although Ragnow played center the past two years at Arkansas, he’s been lining up almost exclusively at left guard during OTA practices open to the public and reporters. Take it from Detroit Lions writer Mike O’Hara:

"“All signs point to Ragnow playing left guard,” O’Hara wrote on the Lions’ official website. “The coaching staff would not have devoted the entire offseason workout program to working Ragnow at guard if they intended to play him at center.”"

O’Hara makes a great point. These practices are valuable for a rookie coming into the NFL. If the Lions wanted Ragnow at center, they would have wasted a lot of time putting their first-round draft pick out of position to start his career.

Slotting Ragnow at left guard gives the Lions a starting offensive line featuring Taylor Decker at left tackle, Graham Glasgow at center, T.J. Lang at right guard and Rick Wagner at right tackle. There you have it, the 2018 Detroit Lions offensive line.

Expectations aren’t only high for this position group, the entire offense has higher expectations with these guys locked in for the future. The passing game has long been the strength and should continue to be strong with Stafford at the helm. The running game, with new additions LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson, has no more excuses. This should be a balanced, potent offense.

Next: The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team

With Ragnow continuing to settle in and build chemistry with his new teammates through training camp, things are looking up in the Motor City. We’re only a couple short months away from seeing this new machine pull out of the garage and step on the throttle for the 2018 season.

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