Who is the Detroit Lions' starting left guard for the 2026 season?
Christian Mahogany, who did...so-so, during his time at the spot in 2025? Miles Frazier, who hasn't gotten an opportunity at major NFL snaps thanks to injury, but could make enough noise in camp to warrant a depth chart overturn? Or, as a new dark horse, Giovanni Manu?
These are the small, but greatly important, battles that will help to re-shape the Lions offense. How big of a lane will Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco routinely get? The answer to that question could alter everything about Drew Petzing's game planning, and Jared Goff's game planning. And, the ideal answer to that question is, "lanes as large as a highway."
Players are not only competing for a starting spot on the Lions' offensive line, but potentially, for their survival on the Lions' roster. Depending on the result of camp, and the health of Ben Bartch, Detroit might need to cut one of these three lineman.
Manu throws a wrench into cutdown puzzle for Lions
Prior to this year, Manu had not gotten a serious look at guard before. But, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters this week that he had been slotted in at both left tackle (his natural position), and at guard. And, Campbell said that they liked what they saw out of Manu at both spots.
The addition of him to that guard battle throws a wrench into Frazier's plans, most likely, to try and at least snag a backup spot to Mahogany. Although, nothing seems to indicate that the team is fully sold on anything other than Cade Mays at center, and Penei Sewell at left tackle. And, that level of competition is exactly what they're seeking this offseason.
Ray Agnew, the Lions' assistant general manager, said it best: "Nothing breeds winning like competition."
It's a win if Detroit can help Manu survive the "bust" label that many are ready to slap on him before he's taken a single snap in 2026. If he can successfully transition to guard, that frees up space for Larry Borom to be a key piece to Detroit's depth chart behind Sewell.
Of course, it then makes the left guard room crowded. Bartch, Mahogany, Manu, and Frazier are already going at it this offseason for a spot in the room, while Juice Scruggs - the Lions' sole player acquired in their David Montgomery-Texans trade - is also a name to monitor. His versatility along the line helps him in the same way that Manu's potential versatility can help, though.
OTAs can only reveal so much. After all, as Campbell said, it's a pajama party before the real thing. But, with limited minicamp ahead of the preseason, we have to take what we can get. And, based on Campbell's words on Manu, it sure sounds like things are going well for him during this experiment. If he can't keep it up, though, he figures to be an easy cut candidate for Detroit.
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