Pride of Detroit
Identifying which interior offensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be keeping an eye on during the 2025 NFL Combine.
Our 2025 NFL Combine preview series continues along as we approach the big event, which is scheduled to be televised from Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 2.
So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive tackles the Detroit Lions should be scouting. In this article, we wrap up the offensive side of the ball by examining the interior offensive line prospects that should be on the radar of general manager Brad Holmes.
Of note: All offensive linemen will go through on-field drills on NFL Network on Sunday, March 2nd.
The Detroit Lions carried six interior offensive linemen on their roster in 2024 and three (Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, and Christian Mahogany) of their top four options remain under contract in 2025. Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler is an unrestricted free agent, while Kayode Awosika is a restricted free agent (RFA), and Michael Niese is an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA). The Lions also re-signed Netane Muti, who spent 2024 on injured reserve, and Kingsley Eguakun, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad.
While there's a good chance that Zeitler returns in 2025 and the Lions have a competition for starting guard roles, that would only be a short-term solution for stability on the interior. Glasgow is 33 years old and Zeitler is almost 35, illustrating the need for a long-term solution to potentially pair with the 24-year-old Mahogany. Fortunately, Mahogany can play both left and right guard, meaning the Lions won’t feel trapped in finding a guard that only plays a specific side, and can cast a wider net in their evaluations.
The Lions prefer their offensive linemen to be athletic, big, and strong, with a high level of intelligence and exposure to both gap and zone run-blocking schemes.
During on-field drills, keep an eye on the following traits:
Tyler Booker, LG in 2024 (with experience at RG/LT), Alabama (6-foot-5, 352 pounds) is arguably the best pure interior offensive lineman in this draft class and is expected to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Lions have opted to deploy guards with more finesse/technique than power at their left guard spot while preferring power on the right side. Booker would fill the Lions' requirements on the left side, while also giving them a right guard-esque power-blocking element all in one package.
Tate Ratledge, RG, Georgia (6-foot-6, 317) was featured in my 2024 watchlist series where I called him a “borderline Top 100” who...
