Lions' questionable draft strategy suddenly looks genius after shocking retirement

One of the biggest knocks on the Detroit Lions' draft was the fact that they honed in on the "wrong" trenches. Instead of focusing on trying to get help for Aidan Hutchinson and their pass rush game, they added two depth pieces to their offensive line, instead - Tate Ratledge in the 2nd round and Miles Frazier in the 5th round.

Interior offensive linemen weren't exactly a need for Detroit, but moreso a nice insurance policy for some of their older linemen. Now, they're not just insurance policies - they're potential starters. That's thanks to the shocking news that Frank Ragnow, the teams' key interior offensive linemen, would be retiring from the NFL at the age of just 29.

Health played a pivotal role in Ragnow's decision, as he suffered from a long list of injuries throughout his seven year career with the Lions. Now, with him stepping away from the game and from Detroit, the team will have to find their next starting center - and quickly. Free agency has all but dried up, so expect to see them rely heavily on their rookies to step up.

Lions rookies have to step up in a big way after Ragnow retirement

Detroit likely wasn't anticipating needing to use one of Ratledge or Frazier as an emergency center this season, but Ratledge had reportedly been getting reps at the position in the last week of OTAs. Another option at center for the Lions already on the roster is Graham Glasgow, but he wasn't spectacular at the position with the Denver Broncos.

READ MORE: Lions' Frank Ragnow reveals the heartbreaking reason for shocking retirement

Ratledge, who is actually the only rookie yet to sign his deal with the Lions, is probably now going to see money closer to what Tyleik Williams received as the teams' first round pick. If he's starting on the line in general, and the team is ready to name him the starting center in Week 1, then he should be earning a heck of a lot more than a typical 2nd round pick would be earning.

We're not going to get real clarity on any moves the Lions make to their IOL until we get closer to mandatory training camps and preseason, but if early OTAs are telling us anything, it's that the Lions feel confident that Ratledge can end up stepping up in a big way.

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