Check out the instant reactions to the Lions’ 2025 second-round draft pick.
The Detroit Lions traded up late in the second round to select Georgia guard Tate Ratledge with the 57th overall pick. It addresses a clear need for the Lions while also being a tremendous value.
Ratledge was on several folks’ radars entering day two as a great fit for Detroit:
I predicted Ratledge to Detroit, read more about him here: https://t.co/bFoNxM3sbE
— Max Gerber (@maxgerbs) April 26, 2025
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) April 26, 2025
Ratledge was on my list this morning of 10 players who could fit the Lions in Day 2. He fits this team and O-line room perfectly.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) April 26, 2025
Overall, the timeline was really excited to see the Lions get a mauler who seems like a great fit for Detroit:
Instant A+ draft pick! Lions got a real dawg with Ratledge!! https://t.co/gZ1wgZVNvf
— Meko (@themekoscott) April 26, 2025
Tate Ratledge is such a Lion. Phenomenal pick.
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) April 26, 2025
A mauler guard with a mullet and stache who rocks #69… dude will be a beast
— Max Gerber (@maxgerbs) April 26, 2025
Some folks very clearly saw the long term implications:
Future starting OG. The fact they traded up means that GG’s day is outnumbered after this season. https://t.co/7FdKoMgsGq
— George Kittle’s #1 fan™ (@BeastFBall) April 26, 2025
On a team with lots of bills coming due, the @Lions having two “cheap” contracts at guard in Mahogany and Ratledge could really help if they work out.
— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) April 26, 2025
One of my favorite ways to evaluate a pick is what the fans of other teams are saying about it. Safe to say this one passes the test with flying colors, with a slew of Bengals fans disappointed to see him off the board:
Tate Ratledge will be an All-Pro OG for Detroit in 2 years. #Bengals passing up on that talent is a joke, year after year. Go protect Joe! Beef up that O-Line with angry men.
— Andrew Hursh | Columbus, Ohio Realtor® (@Hursshhh) April 26, 2025
And there goes Ratledge, to a team that cares about their trenches
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) April 26, 2025
My Tate Ratledge dream died.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) April 26, 2025
Overall, fans (in Detroit) are happy. You can read Max Gerber’s Day 2 Ratledge projection here , the details of the trade up here , and my instant grade for the pick here .