Giovanni Manu might be a slept on piece to the Detroit Lions' offensive line puzzle this offseason.
And, you can't blame fans for feeling like he isn't an important cog to the machine following a few quite disappointing seasons for the former 4th round pick.
However, it sounds like he's still very much a part of the Lions' plans ahead of 2026, with head coach Dan Campbell telling reporters ahead of another day of OTAs that Manu is getting multiple looks at guard and tackle.
"Let's experiment a little bit, you know? We've had a couple of injuries, or they're getting the bugs where, maybe a guy we'd normally play at guard, we don't, so, let's put him in there. It's actually kind of worked out good. And, just see what he looks like at guard. He's still getting tackle reps, we're seeing...we're trying to give him the best opportunity to showcase what he has, you know? And who knows, maybe he is better at guard. We still think tackle, but if he can prove something, then that's good."
Manu getting looks at guard ahead of 2026 season
Manu's dealt with injuries in his very short career so far with the Lions, and that's relegated him to third-string in the Lions' tackle room. With the Larry Borom signing, it definitely feels like Manu has to either have a monster season in camp and preseason to get back up on the depth chart, or he needs to get better at another position of need along the line. Guard makes a ton of sense for two reasons, then.
One is that Detroit, similarly to Manu, hasn't seen enough from Christian Mahogany consistently to trust that he can start and excel at left guard. Tate Ratledge is getting the benefit of the doubt at right guard given the fact that it will only be his second year in the league. Mahogany might not be afforded that same benefit of the doubt.
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Ben Bartch was brought into the fold, as well, to potentially backup Mahogany (and to potentially unseat him), but Campbell mentioned in this same availability that Bartch is easing himself back into action following a foot injury in 2025. So, Manu is the Lions' next best lineman to experiment with at that spot, and it sounds like things are going well for him on that front.
If Manu can carve out a roll as a reliable left guard for the Lions, that creates the perfect amount of competition at left guard to sharpen everyone ahead of the 2026 season. Manu needs to lock in on this "experiment" to survive roster cuts, as well. The idea of him protecting Jared Goff's blindside in a pinch is a little terrifying.
The idea of him opening up running lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco is far less daunting.
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