Former Georgia Bulldogs star Tate Ratledge officially signs rookie NFL contract with Detroit Lions

This is great news considering many second round picks have been holding out for gauranteed deals ahead of NFL training camp.

With Ratledge putting pen to paper on his rookie contract, it means he can officially report to training camp on Wednesday, July 26. 

Tate Ratledge Could Be on Tap for Starting Role in Year 1

Ratledge, the Lions' 57th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, could be on tap for a starting role as a rookie.

Reports out of OTAs last month revealed that Ratledge had been taking first-team reps at center, which is notable given the fact that he primarily played guard at Georgia. 

Ratledge initially arrived at Georgia as a tackle, eventually moving to guard, and while he has limited game experience at center, he’s no stranger to adapting.

The only battle he faces now, however, is that he will have to step into recently retired four-time Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow's shoes -- and that won’t be easy.

“He definitely needs some time (at center) training,” Detroit offensive line coach Hank Farley said. “It’s going to become natural for him. I thought what he did in rookie minicamp was pretty good for handling that.

“Our centers, like across the whole league, they do a lot, they have a lot on their plates. They’re like quarterbacks on that O-line. They set a lot of the protections, a lot of the calls and they work one-on-one with the QB. So in time he’s going to get it down and become a pretty good center here.”

Ratledge, a former four-star recruit from Tennessee, kicked off his college football career at Georgia in a backup role before becoming the Bulldogs' starting right guard in 2022.

In his final two seasons with the Dawgs, Ratledge gave up just two sacks which earned him consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections and All-American honors.