The Detroit Lions have had a somewhat sneaky, but calculated and good, run in free agency. Monday night, not completely out of left field if you read the work of writers covering the team, they signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a reported one-year deal.
The move to add Zeitler, a right guard for his entire 12-year career and a darn good one at that, means Graham Glasgow will be moving over to left guard after being a top-10 guard as graded by Pro Football Focus last year while mostly playing on the right side. But Glasgow made one start at left guard last season, and Lions' fans surely remember he predominantly played left guard over his first two seasons in the league (2016 and 2017). In a broader sense, Glasgow's versatility left the door open to signing Zeitler.
The Lions' offensive line has been one of the best in the league over the last few seasons. Maintaining it as a strength had to be a priority this offseason, even as Jonah Jackson loomed as a free agent loss (which of course happened.
As Erik Schlitt of Pride of Detroit put together, the Lions now have someone who was no worse than the 15th-highest overall graded at their position by PFF last season. Zeitler had the second-best PFF pass blocking grade among guards last year (82.3).
PFF's 2023 blocking ranks for Lions projected 2024 OL
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) March 19, 2024
LT Taylor Decker = 9th best OT
LG Graham Glasgow = 8th G
C Frank Ragnow = No. 1 C
RG Kevin Zeitler = 15 G
RT Penei Sewell = No. 1 OT
FWIW, Sewell and Ragnow were PFF's No. 1 and 3 OL overall, regardless of position.
Detroit Lions offensive line dept chart with Kevin Zeitler signing
Here's a look at the full Lions' offensive line depth chart after the signing of Zeitler.
LT: Taylor Decker, Dan Skipper
LG: Graham Glasgow, Kayode Awosika
C: Frank Ragnow, Glasgow, Micheal Niese
RG: Kevin Zeitler, Colby Sorsdal
RT: Penei Sewell, Connor Galvin
With Zeitler coming in on a one-year deal, a guard is not necessarily out of the play for the Lions with an early pick in next month's draft. Glasgow is the backup center if Ragnow misses time, and his ability to play all three interior line spots practicallly makes him Zeitler's top backup too. Skipper can play both tackle spots, and both guard spots for that matter, so his versatility is an asset too.