Analyst says Lions made two elite offseason moves (both on the same weekend)

The Detroit Lions used two of their draft picks on offensive linemen this year - Tate Ratledge in the second round, and Miles Frazier in the fifth round. Both linemen are expected to back up the Lions' current starting lineup, which features Christian Mahogany at right guard and Graham Glasgow on the other end.

Of course, those two are getting older, and it's important for a team like the Lions with Super Bowl aspirations to ensure they're set up not just for now, but for their future. They're chock full of young stars on offense, including their running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Those two can't sustain their success without a strong offensive line supporting them.

That's what made the drafting of Ratledge and Frazier so important, albeit not the flashiest. But, Detroit was strategic for picking them up, and one analyst has even tabbed the two as the Lions' best offseason moves ahead of the 2025 season.

Analyst says Ratledge and Frazier were Detroit's best offseason moves

Drafting shouldn't really qualify as an offseason move, especially since everyone has a shot at doing it, but when you can potentially hit on later picks like the Lions can from this year's draft, it certaintly counts. That's, at least, what The Athletic's Mike Sando thinks.

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"Doubling up on interior offensive linemen after letting the 35-year-old Kevin Zeitler leave in free agency seemed smart for Detroit. The Lions used a second-round pick for guard Tate Ratledge and a fifth-rounder for guard Miles Frazier. The odds seem strong that at least one of the two will emerge as a starter longer term. Christian Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick, also should be in the mix," wrote Sando.

While defensive line is really the area that the team should have shored up in this offseason, making sure you have high floor depth on the O-line is just as important. Ratledge has also been constantly named as a sleeper pick for Detroit, so it feels safe to bet that he'll end up a starter by season's end next to Glasgow.

Injuries are always afoot on the O-line. It's just the nature of the position. So, adding young depth is huge for Detroit and their run game.

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