
The next installment in our training camp preview series looks at the Detroit Lions’ interior offensive line.
In this installment of our Detroit Lions 2025 training camp preview series, we examine the Lions’ interior offensive line, speculate on current and future roles, and discuss how many players from this group could make the 53-man roster.
Previous training camp previews:
- QB: Can Hendon Hooker stick at QB2?
- RB: Will there be any changes to the room?
- WR: Loaded with depth options and youth
- TE: Who will win the TE3 job?
- OT: All eyes on Giovanni Manu
Setting the table
The Lions entered the 2024 season with as solid an interior offensive line as they’ve had in the past decade. All-Pro Frank Ragnow returned at center, Graham Glasgow was coming off arguably his best season as a professional, and Pro Bowler Kevin Zeitler was signed to replace former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson. Kayode Awosika returned as the top reserve along the interior, while Michael Niese gave the Lions another option at center. There were high hopes for rookie Christian Mahogany, but his season got off to a slow start after contracting mononucleosis and missing the first half of the season. Additionally, rookie Kingsley Eguakun spent the season on the practice squad, and Netane Muti missed the entire season after landing on injured reserve following an injury sustained in training camp.
The Lions entered the offseason with a plan to invest in youth along the interior offensive line, a decision that likely prevented Detroit from getting into a bidding war with Tennessee over Zeitler . Making matters even more complicated, Ragnow’s decision to retire left Detroit with two starting roles to fill for the upcoming season.
But the cupboard is far from bare for the Lions. Glasgow will return for his third consecutive season, and Mahogany showed tremendous promise in his two starts the previous season, suggesting he could be ready for a starting role. Additionally, the Lions returned four players from the last season, acquired three rookies, and added another position-flexible veteran in free agency.
Here’s a look at the additions/returns:
- Tate Ratledge was drafted in the second round
- Miles Frazier was drafted in the fifth round
- Mason Miller was signed as a UDFA
- Kayode Awosika was not tendered with an RFA but was re-signed to a one-year deal
- Michael Niese was given an ERFA designation (one-year deal)
- Netane Muti was re-signed to a one-year contract
- Kingsley Eguakun re-signed on a futures deal
- Trystan Colon signed a one-year deal during OTAs
Roster construction
Under the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime, the Lions have consistently added offensive linemen as the season progresses. While they typically begin each season with eight to 10 offensive linemen, they’ve consistently finished with 10 or 11 on the active roster.
Let’s take a look at what they’ve done on the interior offensive line in the previous four seasons:
- 2021: Opened with five IOL (Ragnow, Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Evan Brown, and Logan Stenberg) but finished with seven (Parker Ehinger, Ryan McCollum).
- 2022: Opened with six IOL (Ragnow, Jackson, Vaitai, Brown, Stenberg, and Tommy Kraemer), but finished with seven (Awosika and Ross Pierschbacher—Kraemer landed on IR).
- 2023: Opened with five IOL (Ragnow, Jackson, Glasgow, Vaitai, and Colby Sorsdal) but finished with six (Awosika).
- 2024: Opened with five IOL (Ragnow, Zeitler, Glasgow, Awosika, Niese), but finished with six after Mahogany was removed from PUP.
The battleground
With two of the three starting interior offensive line positions vacated, the Lions will likely be completing a complete overhaul of their center and guard positions. Let’s take a look at all 10 candidates on the current roster who will be competing for snaps in 2025.
The pre-camp expected starters
- Graham Glasgow, C/G: A savvy, experienced lineman who has career starts at all three interior offensive line spots and will likely be relied upon to provide a veteran presence to a young room. Heading into training camp, he likely has an inside track to a starting role at guard or center, and could even be relied upon to make the pre-snap offensive line adjustment calls. However, a starting role will still need to be earned, and Glasgow will need to prove that last year’s struggles were injury-related, rather than the effects of Father Time.
- Christian Mahogany, G: While it took time to acclimate to the NFL following his illness, Mahogany thrived when given the opportunity to see the field. He played in only five games (starting one at right guard and one at left guard), but earned a 91.5 overall grade from PFF for his performances. While the sample size is certainly small, Mahogany was touted as an NFL-ready prospect coming out of Boston College, and he proved that to be true last year when the opportunity presented itself. He’ll enter camp, expected to win a starting role at one of the guard spots.
- Tate Ratledge, G/C: The Lions traded up to grab Ratledge in the second round, and despite playing only guard at Georgia, the Lions immediately began testing his ability to play center in rookie minicamp and at OTAs. There’s a steep learning curve for Ratledge to not only acclimate quickly to the NFL but also try to learn the center position. A tremendous athlete with the intelligence to play the pivot, Ratledge’s limits will be tested in training camp to see where he fits best. Preliminary expectations are that Ratledge will start at either guard or center, with the latter likely being the preferred long-term option.
The veterans
- Kayode Awosika, G: Over his three seasons in Detroit, Awosika has played in 36 games and started seven, including two last season (Weeks 4 and 6). While Awosika has been a steady player for the Lions and has been ready to step up and help at any time, it’s worth pointing out that he was a healthy scratch in six of the final seven regular season games after being jumped on the depth chart by Mahogany. He’ll still be given an opportunity to compete, but Awosika will need to elevate his game to get into the starting mix.
- Michael Niese, C/G: Active for all 17 games due to his ability to play center, Niese only saw 35 offensive snaps as the Lions turned to Glasgow to be Ragnow’s direct backup. Obviously, the Lions value Niese’s positional flexibility, but he has a lot more competition for the reserve center role this offseason than he had previously. Not only will he be competing with Glasgow and Ratledge for a starting role, but he will also face at least two other center-capable players vying for reserve snaps.
- Netane Muti, G: At the start of 2024 training camp, Muti was putting together a nice resume and had made a real case for the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, an injury took away that opportunity and he missed the season. However, Muti made a point of staying in Allen Park to rehabilitate and attended offensive line/team meetings in order to remain part of the organization. Now healthy, Muti will get another chance to reclaim a role on the Lions roster and could be a sleeper for a spot on the active roster.
- Trystan Colon, C/G: A late offseason addition to the roster, Colon will have some catching up to do in order to acclimate to the Lions’ scheme and culture. Fortunately for him, he has over 50 games of NFL experience, having started 15 games and logging starts at all three interior offensive line positions. Of this group of 10 players, only Glasgow can claim that level of experience, which could go a long way to helping him find a role amongst the youth.
Youth fighting for time
- Miles Frazier, G: A Jonah Jackson-style of player, Frazier has a few technical aspects of his game that need tweaking, but there’s starter potential in his traits. While Frazier has offensive tackle experience, he looks best suited to play guard in the NFL. He’ll surely get cross-trained at center—like most players do under Hank Fraley—but that could get put on the back burner while the rookie’s technique is polished.
- Kingsley Eguakun, C/G: After consistently improving throughout 2024 training camp, Eguakun spent the last year learning on the practice squad. While the media isn’t privy to how far along he has progressed during the season, it’s worth noting that coach Dan Campbell unpromptedly brought up Eguakun’s name (twice) when discussing the candidates for Ragnow’s vacated starting center role. While Eguakun may open camp on the Lions’ third line, don’t be surprised if he gets opportunities with the second—and possibly first team—during practices.
- Mason Miller, G/T: Most recently North Dakota State’s right tackle, Miller also previously started at left guard for the Bisons and may project best on the inside in the NFL. While most of the other players on this list will be cross-trained at both guard spots and center, I anticipate Miller will likely be cross-trained at both guard spots and right tackle. With Sorsdal potentially being a bubble player, Miller has a similar skill set and could be a player the Lions could get to the practice squad more easily.