Fixing the Lions’ offensive line was Brad Holmes’ top priority this year. In 2024, Detroit’s high-powered offense shattered NFL records behind the elite coverage of one of the league’s premier offensive walls. However, in 2025, Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow’s retirement, along with a multitude of O-line injuries, destabilized what was once a premier NFL unit, leaving an enormous gap.
Last year, Jared Goff was sacked 38 times. At one point, he took 18 sacks within an eight-game period. Detroit had a top-five ground game in 2024 with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. However, in 2025, despite a number of explosive gains by Gibbs, the Lions ranked near the bottom of the league for run game efficiency.
Fortunately, after Holmes’ successful offseason talent acquisition, the Lions’ offensive line is looking much stronger than it did a year ago. Addressing the media last week, Dan Campbell sounded optimistic about this season’s offensive line. Although Campbell has been uncharacteristically reserved in his comments about the team during last week’s OTAs, he sounded optimistic in his remarks about the O-line.
Lions’ Offensive Line Has Dan Campbell Sounding Optimistic
The timing of Ragnow’s retirement caught the Lions off guard. Initially, the Lions believed a short-term band-aid would be sufficient. Graham Glasgow was moved to cover the gap at center. Veteran tackle Taylor Decker and Pro Bowl Talent Penei Sewell would anchor the line. However, as injuries continued to decimate the roster, the team was forced to fill one of the most critical position groups with an ever-shifting roster of rookies and reserves. The less experienced rookies and reserves couldn’t compensate for the loss of Ragnow and a healthy veteran line.
Holmes Free Agency Acquisitions
Early in free agency, the Lions chose not to re-sign Glasgow. Asked to take a pay cut by the salary-cap cash-strapped Lions, Decker requested his release. Without the veterans’ experience and leadership, the situation seemed to worsen.
But that was before Holmes went to work. His biggest free agency move was acquiring former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays. A quality young center with superior pass-blocking skills, Mays is ideally suited to stabilize the Lions’ offensive line. While he must learn Drew Petzing’s offense, Mays is a quick learner who can transition to multiple roles. For an offensive line that has endured significant injuries and challenges, the 6’6″ 325 lb. Mays offers the Lions’ positional versatility if necessary.
Taking over a crucial position previously held by a former All-Pro isn’t an easy task, but the 26-year-old playmaker has already impressed Campbell. “Cade man, he’s a good-looking dude, man. He’s a big man, he’s built right, moves pretty good. And now it’s just getting up to speed with our terminology, the MIKE points, all that. But I like Cade, man, he’s a good fit for us. He’s a good fit for us.”
In addition to Mays, Holmes beefed up the line by acquiring several other o-line veterans through free agency. Juice Scruggs, acquired from Houston with the David Montgomery trade, is a versatile veteran with experience at both guard and center.
After signing Mays, Holmes signed Miami Dolphins’ offensive lineman Larry Borom. Drafted by the Chicago Bears, the 6’5″, 325 lb., Detroit native has experience playing both tackle positions and should pair nicely with Sewell. Former San Francisco 49ers lineman Ben Bartch was the next free agent signed. Last year, on 195 snaps at left guard, Bartch posted a 71.7 PFF score, allowing zero sacks and only four pressures without drawing a penalty.
Holmes Priority In The NFL Draft
By the time of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was a foregone conclusion that the Lions would be drafting an offensive lineman with their first pick at number 17. When the Lions selected Clemson right tackle Blake Miller, the rebuild of Detroit’s offensive line began to come into focus. While many predicted that Homes would draft either Kadyn Proctor or Monroe Freeling to fill the gap at left tackle from Decker’s departure, the Lions had their eye on Miller with an alternate plan in mind.
The solution was to move Sewell to left tackle, while keeping Miller in his familiar slot at right tackle. Initially, it seemed counter-productive to move the All-Pro to a new position, but the 6’5″, 335 lb. Sewell is experienced at left tackle. It makes perfect sense that an elite talent with the athleticism and physicality of Sewell should be the one protecting Goff’s blindside. Sewell is fast, agile, and instinctive.
Calling the transition seamless, Campbell loves the move, “Good. He’s over there, he’s been really since – he’s been working it even being back home before we started the offseason, once I gave him the words. So, it’ll be like riding a bike for him. Will it be things he’ll have to learn? Yeah, of course there will be. But I mean, he has played left. That’s muscle memory. He played a lot of left in college and for us for those in ’21, those first few games. And he still took reps at left even over the last five years, so that’ll be seamless. That’ll be seamless. Sewell can do it all.”
The New Look Of The Lions Offensive Line
In addition to the veterans, second-year player Tate Ratledge is expected to continue developing his skills, holding down the starting assignment at right guard. As a rookie, Ratledge posted a 73.5 PFF run-blocking grade and ranked 12th among all NFL guards. Over his last 12 games, Ratledge didn’t allow a sack and gave up only four quarterback hits.
Campbell has been outspoken about his desire to create competition in training camp. He’s said that he needs to see players fight for their position on the roster. Second-year guard Miles Frazier, along with third-year guard Christian Mahogany and tackle Giovanni Manu, will be competing for those starting offensive line positions. Veteran NFL and Lions’ lineman Michael Niese will be among those competing alongside undrafted free agents Mason Miller and Melvin Priestly. They’ll be joined by newly signed Cincinnati Bengals center Seth McLaughlin and reserve players Devin Cochran and Colby Sorsdal.
Asked if the 2026 offensive line will be better than last year, Campbell stated confidently, “I like those guys. And it’s early, but…Larry Borom, man, moving Sewell over to left. I think for what you want from a young guy, talking about, with where we are going in week six of offseason or whatever, I like where Ratledge is going. That’s good, it’s good. So I feel a guy who learned a lot and has grown, has taken some of those things, so that’s good. But yeah, we’ve got a lot of competition in there.”
Whether the Lions’ 2026 offensive line can recreate the elite performance of the 2024 line is unknown. However, this team looks much stronger than in 2025 and is loaded with the talent to significantly improve upon last year’s performance. Campbell continually praises offensive line coach Hank Fraley’s teaching abilities, stating, “He’s got a real good feel of those guys, what they do well, how to develop the talent, and he just – he’s got a real good feel of how to pull it out of them.” With the talent assembled before Fraley, it’s fair to expect impressive results.
