The Detroit Lions have made a surprising trade, dealing running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a pair of draft picks and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
While adding a pair of picks is always the major headline, the addition of a player can be interesting as well. On the surface, adding Scruggs doesn't mean much to a team like Detroit who isn't likely to count on him to play a major role in 2026.
Still, there is an opportunity is there for Scruggs to turn his career around and force the Lions to take notice of his abilities. It's clear for him to be included in the deal that Brad Holmes and company are a believer in his skills and think he can be a key piece for Detroit's roster.
A former second-round pick in 2023, Scruggs came into the league out of Penn State with hype. NFL.com's Tom Pelissero pointed out that when Scruggs was going through the pre-draft process, his scouting report revealed him to be strong like granite blocks, which figures to appeal to Dan Campbell.
Dan Campbell wants the Lions to get back to playing their brand of football, and that starts with reestablishing a dominant O-line.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 2, 2026
From the https://t.co/uI2glnokIS pre-draft scouting report on Juice Scruggs: “He plays like a block of granite…”
That fits. pic.twitter.com/r4UicxDl6S
Scruggs hasn't enjoyed a successful early run in his NFL career, but has played 37 games with 20 starts. He's seen the majority of snaps at guard, but has meaningful, quality experience at center. That's a position where the Lions have a massive hole heading into the offseason, and are likely to need a few additions.
Detroit is likely to use the pair of draft picks to get better in 2026, but adding an intriguing NFL ready talent like Scruggs is significant, too. While he hasn't been able to establish himself as a clear starter, he could have an opportunity to meaningfully compete along a strong Lions' front.
Scruggs' biggest asset with Lions will become OL coach Hank Fraley
For Detroit, there is an impetus to add extra competition along the interior of their offensive line as much as at running back. Last season, things fell apart from a depth perspective because the Lions didn't have as many quality starters or game-ready veterans as they had in the past.
Entering this offseason, it's clear the focus in Detroit is getting stronger in the trenches. Scruggs' addition allows the Lions another body to throw in the mix with position versatility at guard and center. Those are a pair of the biggest holes on last season's roster.
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For Scruggs, the wild card in the equation is Fraley. Detroit's offensive line coach is one of the top teachers in his field. The Lions have developed plenty of talent up front the last few seasons, and have taken guys who have been borderline players or late picks and molded them into serviceable NFL talents. Kayode Awosika, Christian Mahoghany and Miles Frazier come to mind.
With Fraley's watchful eye, Scruggs could re-discover the form that made him a top selection in 2023, and could become the next success story in that vein.
If the Lions are able to turn Scruggs into a backup at minimum, it would represent a huge win for Detroit and Fraley. From here on out, the opportunity rests in the lap of Scruggs to make his golden opportunity count.