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.
Team need
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.
What skills to watch for during on-field drills
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:
- Balance through their hips
- Knee bend—ideally not waist bending
- Lateral movement skills
- Drills like the kick slide and lateral shuffle will help expose stiffness
- Pull and drive drills will illustrate a player’s athleticism
- Reactionary time in all drills
Guards
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 could return to school to improve his stock and he certainly met expectations. I noted that Ratledge would fit with the Lions because of his “bully in the trenches” demeanor and believe he would fit the parameters of what the Lions want in a right guard.
Clay Webb, LG, Jacksonville State (6-foot-3, 310) grew up in Alabama and was a 5-star high school recruit, yet committed to Georgia before eventually transferring to Jacksonville State. The talent is there—probably at guard and center—but he appears to have had a setback in his development, which is why he’ll likely be a mid-to-late Day 3 option.
Guards with tackle experience
Grey Zabel, LT (LG/RG/RT), North Dakota State (6-foot-5 1⁄2, 316) has most recently played left tackle with the Bisons (974 snaps), but he also has experience at right tackle (1064), left guard (453), and right guard (222). He’s a terrific athlete with an explosive first step and the power to line up at several different spots across the line. However, he is expected to measure with shorter arms/hands, which could prompt some teams to view him as an interior prospect. For the Lions, he looks capable of playing all three interior spots.
Of Note, Tyler Roehl, the Lions’ current tight ends coach , was Zabel’s offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2023.
Donovan Jackson, LG/LT, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 318) has spent the majority of his career at left guard but shifted outside to left tackle after Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending injury. Jackson excelled in the role and may have done enough to convince teams he can stick on the outside, but for the Lions, his best role would likely be at left guard. As a downhill run blocker, he regularly moves defenders off their spots, while his movement skills fit the Lions’ gap and zone schemes.
Jonah Savaiinaea, RT (RG/LT), Arizona (6-foot-4, 339) finished his college career at right tackle but he’s got plenty of experience at right guard, registering around 1000 snaps at each position. With heavy hands and light feet, Savaiinaea excels as a run blocker, while most of his errors as a pass protector could be eliminated if he’s playing at guard.
Marcus Mbow, RT (RG), Purdue (6-foot-4, 309) also split the majority of his college reps between right tackle (1060) and right guard (668), but his pass protection skills could have some teams listing him amongst the offensive tackles. While a lot of players with tackle/guard experience are discussed as players who could start their career inside and then shift outside later on, Mbow is a prospect who could actually pull it off.
Jalen Rivers, LG/LT, Miami (6-foot-5, 337), like the prospects that precede him in this section, split his reps between tackle (1246) and guard (1009), though Rivers did it on the left side. His massive frame engulfs defenders in the run game, while his pass protection is surprisingly smooth considering his aggressive nature. I like him as a guard prospect who could spot-start at tackle.
Miles Frazier, RG (LG/LT), LSU (6-foot-6, 324) took over the right guard position at LSU after Anthony Bradford departed for the NFL two offseasons ago. Prior to that transition, he also played at left tackle (782), left guard (594), and right tackle (89) in the earlier days in Baton Rouge. His size and strength are appealing—especially for the right guard spot in Detroit—but he’ll need to prove his movement skills are at an NFL level if he wants to be drafted before Day 3.
Joshua Gray, LG (LT), Oregon State (6-foot-3 1⁄2, 300) is a five-year starter, seeing the majority of his snaps at left tackle (2945) but shifting inside to left guard (860) in his final season to help him get a head start on his NFL career (multiple league scouts informed him he would be a better guard at the next level). His ability to transcend blocking schemes will also give him a leg up, especially with a team like the Lions who use multiple concepts.
Center prospects
Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State (6-foot-4, 300) has played exclusively at center (2699 snaps) during his college career (with the Buckeyes and Crimson Tide) but his athleticism could help him expand his role to guard. Typically, with Ragnow in the fold, I wouldn’t suggest drafting a potential Day 2 prospect with only center experience. However, McLaughlin is currently dealing with a late-season injury which could compromise his stock and increase his value if he falls in the draft.
Jonah Monheim, C (RG), USC (6-foot-4, 307) looks like his best position could be at center (808 snaps), but he has experience at right tackle (1158), left tackle (781), and right guard (388) as well. His ability to execute blocks in the run game will appeal to Detroit for their center/left guard spots, which could make him a valuable reserve option early in his career.