The Detroit Lions have plenty of decisions to make this offseason, and a spot of major attention may be the offensive line.
Detroit has built one of the best fronts in the league, but the passage of time is beginning to show cracks. Penei Sewell is a building block, but Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow are getting older and Kevin Zeitler could depart in free agency. That puts younger players somewhere on the radar.
Entering the offseason, ESPN's Ben Solak has made a bold prediction for the Lions.
"The Lions are getting older along the offensive line, with three of five starters over the age of 30 and center Frank Ragnow now a long-term health question mark. I expect Detroit, which double-dipped at cornerback at the top of the 2024 draft with Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, to do the same at offensive line. The Lions will target one on the interior, and another to be the future at left tackle behind Taylor Decker. Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) and Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona) fit their style."
Decker and Ragnow are not slowing down, and while neither one sounds anywhere near ready to retire there's no getting around their age. So Solak thinks the Lions need younger players to develop.
Brad Holmes seems to be ahead of curve on bold prediction for 2025 draft
The Lions may choose to draft two offensive linemen this year but if they don't it could be because they did it in the 2024 draft with Giovanni Manu and Christian Mahogany.
Mahogany emerged late in the season, while Manu was "redshirted" with a big learning curve from a Canadian college to the NFL. Holmes noted the encouraging signs there are for both moving forward.
"(We) feel good about both of them. Both I thought were in completely different places when OTA's started. (Christian) Mahogany started OTA's like (it) looked like it's not too big for him. Just stepped right in and knew what to do where (Giovanni) Manu was the complete opposite. He's like 'man, I've never had this kind of lingo that I had to remember and snap cadence and all that stuff.' Credit to our coaches. When Christian (Mahogany) had to take time off being on NFI, when we returned him, Dan (Campbell) and I are like, 'he's a rookie, he's missed this much time,' the medical staff and trainers knew he was in good shape physically, but we were like, 'if he can help he can help, if he can't he can't.' You know how we are with rookies. He jumped right in. You can see it noticeably in practice where it's like 'okay, wow, we got to get this guy active.' I think he just has to continue improving, continue to work on his game. I know he will do that, but I do think he can make that jump."
Mahogany could be a starting guard next season, while Manu will likely continue his development behind the scenes. It's possible the Lions will need to draft a player with guard and center experience, but with Manu in the mix tackle might not be as pressing a need. That would allow the Lions to use an early pick to bolster their defense.