The Detroit Lions’ O-line is going to look drastically different in 2026. Left tackle Taylor Decker is gone, and right tackle Penei Sewell is shifting over to the left side to replace him. Rookie Blake Miller will now take Sewell’s old RT spot. At the center of it all is new center Cade Mays.
The only member of the Lions’ O-line who is locked into the same spot as last season is second-year right guard Tate Ratledge. There’s no competition expected like there is at the left guard position. It’s his job barring unforeseen circumstances.
That stability will help Ratledge as he hopes to make a big jump in Year 2. NFL.com’s "Around the NFL" writer Nick Shook believes he will make that jump, naming Ratledge as one of his players who he sees improving in 2026.
Shook recognizes that Ratledge wasn’t put in a desirable position in 2025, pointing to his linemate Graham Glasgow playing his more unnatural position at center in the wake of Frank Ragnow’s retirement. The unit as a whole, despite Sewell’s best efforts, wasn’t doing quarterback Jared Goff and running back Jahmyr Gibbs many favors.
As Shook puts it, Ratledge “didn’t let the adversity consume him” as the rookie finished the 2025 season strongly, ultimately piecing together a 70.3 grade on Pro Football Focus. That ranks 24th among 81 eligible guards.
His overall pass-blocking grade was a weak spot at 58.5, 60th among guards, but as Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit noted on X after the Lions’ Week 18 victory over the Chicago Bears, Ratledge finished with an 80.1 pass-blocking grade from Week 14 to the end of the regular season.
If Ratledge carries that pass-blocking into next season, that, combined with his already good run-blocking, could have him into Pro Bowl discussions in Year 2. If he improves on both, he may even be dark horse All-Pro candidate.
Reasons to be optimistic about Ratledge
Ratledge’s late-season growth is already a good enough reason to be excited for his second season, but going beyond that, as Shook said in his piece, “Ratledge is walking into a better situation in Year 2.”
Gone is Glasgow in favor of someone in Mays who has played exclusively center for the past two seasons, and was considered one of the top names at the position available during free agency. Mays may not the sharp upgrade a Tyler Linderbaum might’ve been or the borderline Hall of Famer Ragnow was, but he’s a firm enough upgrade that will have a positive ripple effect across the rest of the line.
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There is some reason to be concerned about the O-line, as Sewell will no longer be on Ratledge’s right. Instead, he’ll have rookie Miller lining up next to him. As far as rookies go, Miller is highly experienced at his position, starting 54 games across four seasons at Clemson. Expect some growing pains to start, but the two can begin forming their long-term chemistry.
But if the new-look O-line does see drastic improvements from last season, Shook says, “you’ll know Ratledge is playing a key part in the unit's growth.”
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