Next year's draft class is supposed to be a generationally great one. At quarterback, there's expected to be a huge run at the very top of the draft order with several high-profile names set to become available.
Of course, a deep quarterback class doesn't necessarily help the Lions out. They'll have presumably just finished up a successful 2026 season, hopefully reaching the postseason, and even more hopefully reaching the Super Bowl to represent the NFC. That sort of bounce back should secure Jared Goff's place as the teams' franchise signal caller.
Assuming that happens, where do the Lions go in the first round of this deep draft? One position that could still be of need, depending on how well Christian Mahogany does in his third season, is at guard. Tate Ratledge has played well enough to secure his spot at right guard, but left guard remains a bit of a mystery.
Detroit could address that hole by taking Cayden Green, a guard out of Missouri, in next year's draft. That, according to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid's way too early 2027 mock draft, is how the Lions should use their projected 21st overall pick.
"The Lions addressed their need at tackle by drafting Blake Miller in the first round last week, but guard remains one of their biggest question marks. Green shifted to tackle last season, but his long-term NFL outlook is at guard. He's a physical presence at 6-foot-5, 324 pounds who is able to latch onto defenders to create run lanes. Green makes good initial hand contact in pass protection but still needs to improve his strike timing. His mobility was limited last season because of a foot injury, so that's worth watching this upcoming season."
Lions projected to take a guard in 2027 mock draft
Shoring up the Lions' offensive line was priority no. 1 this offseason, and they definitely seem to have crossed that need off their list after signing Cade Mays in free agency and adding Blake Miller in the draft. Their projected starting line of Penei Sewell-Mahogany-Mays-Ratledge-Miller could be amongst the top lines in the NFL by the end of the season, barring injury.
Injury, of course, is something that can never be fully "barred" when speaking about this Lions team. Mahogany went down with a fracture last season, leaving the Lions' run game completely exposed. Prior to his injury, he started to look pretty decent next to Graham Glasgow and Ratledge, but never truly dominant.
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Detroit did add some competition to the guard room this offseason, signing veteran guard Ben Bartch in free agency and UDFA Melvin Priestly following the draft.
So, if it's not Mahogany, the Lions will get a decent look at someone in that left guard position ahead of 2027. They'd have to have had a seriously bad year at that spot to consider spending first round capital on a guard, though.