Like every team in the NFL, the Detroit Lions look for their players to offer some versatility, and things are no different with two 2025 NFL draft picks.
Those two draft picks are second-round pick Tate Ratledge and fifth-round pick Miles Frazier, both of whom are billed as guards coming out of college.
After the draft, general manager Brad Holmes revealed the plan is to “cross-train” the pair at center, a position neither Ratledge nor Frazier played at in college.
“Hank, he’ll cross-train all those guys,” Holmes stated. “So, if they’ve only been at guard, he’s going to put a ball between their legs and see if they can snap. But again, Hank’s not going to put somebody in a tough position either, so he’s going to be able to assess if they have the right makeup and mentality and communicative skills. That’s a big part of just — it’s not about just being able to snap, I mean, you have to have elite communication skills, not just as a starter, but even as a backup.”
Both Frazier and Ratledge have made it clear they are very open to getting looks at different positions, with both even suggesting they’d be willing to play tackle if need be.
If there’s any team that can appreciate having as many options as possible at each position on both sides of the ball, it’s the Lions, a team that dealt with several injuries during the 2024 campaign.
Frazier and Ratledge both have a chance to start in 2025, as both guard spots could be up for grabs. Kevin Zeitler left in free agency to the Tennessee Titans, and Graham Glasgow is coming off a down season.
But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to give both a look as possible backups for Frank Ragnow. Not to mention, the veteran is only under contract through 2026, so Detroit could also be grooming his eventual successor.
Competing against Ratledge and Frazier for a starting role at guard are 2024 sixth-round pick, Christian Mahogany, who flashed during his rookie year, and veteran Kayode Awosika. Giovanni Manu, a 2024 third-round pick, could also be in the mix, with the team giving him a look at guard, as well.
We firmly believe that Glasgow will secure his spot entering the season, but whether or not he holds on to it remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Mahogany is probably the favorite at the other guard spot.
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