Lions' offensive line unsurprisingly handed elite ranking for 2024 season

The Detroit Lions have invested heavily into building one of the best offensive lines in the league, and it's clear they have accomplished that.

What started with the selection of Taylor Decker in 2016 and featured multiple other high draft picks has led to now, a point which finally shows the fruits of that labor. Not only have the Lions passed the eye test of being the best offensive line in the league, but they are finally ranked as such.

Pro Football Focus analyst Zoltan Buday ranked every offensive line in the league, and finally, the Lions were able to lay claim to the top spot.

"When healthy, the Lions' offensive line was arguably the best unit in the NFL last season. Right tackle Penei Sewell was the league's highest-graded offensive lineman, and Frank Ragnow earned the top spot among centers."

"Although the unit lost right guard Jonah Jackson in free agency, the Lions signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who ranked 15th in PFF grade among guards in 2023."

Jackson's free agency departure was a big one, but a seamless replacement was found in Zeitler and he may only make the Lions' offensive line better this year. The health of Ragnow, Sewell and Decker will be key, and Graham Glasgow is moving over to left guard to accommodate Zeitler's presence.

Hank Fraley excited to see Detroit Lions' young lineman continue to push elite starters

While Detroit's veteran starting lineup continues to draw justified praise, the strength of any line lies in its depth. There will be injuries during the season, and others will be pressed to step in. The Lions have done well with this too lately, and it's been a big reason for their overall success.

Hank Fraley is a big reason why that is the case. His coaching and development have helped the Lions grow quickly up front and maintain one of the top groups in the league. Even as the Lions continue to have an elite starting lineup, they are routinely pushed by younger players, something Fraley sees as a major advantage.

"We brought in a lot of competition and we do have our starting five, but what's great about those guys (is) they know those young guys are always pushing for that seat, too. We're going to challenge those five up front to be better. Behind them, who's your sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth? Then you got your practice squad guys. Maybe you have 10 lineman on the roster sometimes, but that's something they don't have to think about. They let their work do the speaking and that's what we're excited for."

Not only do the Lions have veterans playing collectively at an elite level, they have promising depth/youth. That adds up to the top offensive line in the NFL.