Circumstances ensure Tate Ratledge won't be underrated to start Lions' career

The Detroit Lions' stable offseason was rocked a few weeks ago by news of Frank Ragnow's retirement, and since, the focus has been on how to replace the veteran center.

While there were some suggestions the Lions needed to sign a veteran, most understood the franchise would stick with players on their roster to fill the void. From the start, Tate Ratledge has looked primed to become the center of the future in Detroit.

In spite of these facts, some still think that Ratledge will fly under-the-radar in his rookie year in Detroit. Bleacher Report writer Damian Parson named him as one of five underrated rookies who can make a big impact in 2025.

"The sudden retirement of starting center Frankie Ragnow puts more onus on Ratledge's versatility. Since the veteran's departure from the team, the former Bulldog has played first-team center in the Lions' OTAs and is expected to control that position into the regular season."

"Jared Goff is not a mobile or creative quarterback. He thrives in structure and with protection from his offensive line. Mitigating the loss of Ragnow will not be easy, especially for a rookie."

"Ratledge plays with the grit, nastiness and physicality the Detroit offensive line thrives on. His athleticism and lateral agility will be assets in adjusting and adapting to NFL defensive rush schemes."

"As the expected starter, the No. 57 overall pick will be an impactful player on the Lions' offensive success and effectiveness overall if nothing changes."

With all that in mind, it isn't fair to proclaim Ratledge as underrated coming into the season. He's going to be on everybody's radar seeing as he has been given the majority of snaps at center. Whether Ratledge can lock down the role will be the biggest topic of Detroit's impending training camp, and arguably, there is pressure on the rookie.

Hank Fraley has faith in Tate Rateledge becoming an elite center

The center position represents a major learning curve for anyone who hasn't done it for years, much less a rookie coming into Detroit. Ragnow was called the quarterback of the Lions' offensive line, and Ratledge is going to have to adapt quick to earn the job.

Fraley has given Ratledge the earliest look at becoming the Lions' center of the future, and stressed that he needs time to continue to learn a role which he is suited for and likely to play.

"Center is not as natural for him just yet, so you're going to tend to probably give him more reps at snapping the ball to make it more comfortable. I see him helping us (on the) interior. He definitely needs some time (at center). It's going to become natural for him. I thought what he did in rookie minicamp was pretty good. Our centers, they do a lot. They have a lot on their plates. They're like quarterbacks on that offensive line. A lot of the protections, a lot of the calls and they work one-on-one with the quarterback. In time, he's going to get it down and become a pretty good center here, and I know he can flex out to guard. That's where all his tape is in college, so he definitely got the majority (of practice reps) at center."

The Lions are working to make sure that Ratledge is well prepared to take the next step at center, and given the situation he has been thrust into to start his career, there's no reason to think he will be underrated in 2025.