Christian Mahogany's Year 2 emergence is now even more critical for the Lions

Christian Mahogany was widely projected as a Day 2 pick in the 2024 draft. But he fell for reasons that were odd and/or reasonable, and the Detroit Lions snapped up the Boston College guard in the sixth round (No. 210 overall). Mahogany's rookie season was always going to be a developmental year for him, but even that was cast astray by a bout with mono that kept him on the NFI list until late-October. But once he was on the 53-man roster, he was clearly the top backup guard for the Lions.

Mahogany wound up starting two games late last season, one at each guard spot. In Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, playing left guard in place of Graham Glasgow, he allowed just one pressure on 33 pass blocking snaps while posting a top-10 overall PFF grade among guards for the week.

Mahogany then started the Lions' Wild Card Round game against the Washington Commanders in place of right guard Kevin Zeitler, with high-end grades from PFF as he was a general standout from a disappointing season-ending loss.

One way or other, however things work out, Mahogany will be one of the Lions' starting guards this season. Zeitler leaving for the Tennessee Titans in free agency was one thing, but center Frank Ragnow's retirement has put more spotlight on Mahogany's ascension to a starting role.

Lions need Christian Mahogany to become a stabilizing force on the interior OL

In naming Mahogany one of the 10 second-year players who are poised for bigger roles in 2025, Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus noted the heightened importance of his emergence.

"Zeitler signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and long-term center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement earlier this week, leaving one of the top offensive lines in the league with some questions along the interior. Mahogany and 2025 rookie Tate Ratledge will be counted on to fill the void for the NFC North favorite Lions."

Lions quarterback Jared Goff has to have suitable protection from the interior offensive line to function at his highest level. There is not going to be a talent equivalent to Ragnow in the middle, however that looks. As things are right now, whichever of Ratledge and Glasgow who isn't the starting center will likely start at one guard spot, with Mahogany taking the other (and perhaps dictating which spot Ratledge or Glasgow take).

Mahogany was always going to be a huge x-factor for the Lions' offensive line this season. Now, with the biggest possible question mark on the interior coming to fruition, he really has to assert himself to cover for potential shortcomings elsewhere.