The unit is not quite performing to its prior level this season, due the retirement of center Frank Ragnow last offseason and an injury that has sidelined left guard Christian Mahogany, but the offensive line is a clear priority for the Detroit Lions.
After last season, general manager Brad Holmes offered a perfect metaphor to describe the effort to maintain a top-notch offensive line.
"I just think you've got to keep the whole garden watered at all points," Holmes said. "And so, it's going to be the whole unit, because I mean, that is – that's the engine for us."
Holmes followed those comments by drafting two offensive lineman in April. Tate Ratledge looks like a mainstay at right guard, or perhaps center down the road, while Miles Frazier's line versatility keeps options open for where he could settle in as a starter along the interior of the Lions' offensive line.
In 2024, the Lions also drafted two offensive lineman--offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and Mahogany. So Holmes' words about "keeping the whole garden watered" have been backed up with action.
Looking back, while they rightly gave him the space he needed to make a decision, the Lions might've liked to know Ragnow was retiring before early June. Then an offseason plan to replace him could have had a better chance to be shaped.
In any case, the Lions are sure to keep "watering" the offensive line as long as Holmes has anything to say about it. Two of their current starters are north of 30 years old, so further infusions of youth are in order.
Lions take opportunity to plan for the future in new 2026 mock draft
ESPN's Field Yates is out with a new 2026 mock draft predicting all 32 first-round picks, with the order cleanly determined by the inverse standings through Week 14.
With the 17th overall pick, Yates has the Lions taking Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu.
"While most of the picks so far have been to address immediate needs, the Lions could anticipate a future hole by selecting Lomu. Starting left tackle Taylor Decker is already 31 and has two more years on his current deal, so Detroit must be mindful of the position this offseason. Lomu is just steady in virtually every way. He moves fluidly at 6-6, 304 pounds, serving as a gifted striker in the running game and a dependable pass blocker. Lomu did not allow a single sack this season, giving up a measly six pressures."
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Decker's recent comments to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press suggesting he will consider retirement after this season brings Detroit's succession plan at left tackle to the forefront. It feels like he'll make his decision fairly quickly when the season is over, but the Lions could use their first-round pick in April on his successor no matter what.
Here in mid-December, Lomu is not quite as well-known as Utah's other draft-eligible offensive tackle. Right tackle Spencer Fano is widely regarded as a possible top-10 pick, and Yates has him going eighth overall to the Arizona Cardinals in his mock.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid has Lomu as his top offensive tackle in the 2026 class right now, followed by Fano at No. 2.
Lomu is considered to have more upside than his college teammate, as some scouts (per Yates) think Fano's NFL future could be at guard. Having projectable upside at left tackle is also a big point in Lomu's corner, and he could be a big riser when the pre-draft process ramps up.
The Lions will have some good options if they want to get their successor for Decker early in April's draft. Among those options, Lomu lands as very interesting.