Lions 2025 draft: An interior offensive line prospect for every round

The Lions aren't going to draft an interior offensive lineman in each round, of course. The goal here is to show which types of talents are fits for the Lions in each round of the draft to help identify talents, and also the relative value that projects to be available for Detroit in those rounds. As an example, here's last year's CB for every round that pegged Ennis Rakestraw as the second-round pick.

Detroit doesn't currently have a pick in the fifth round, but trades happen all the time, so it's included here. Prospects for the first three rounds here are skewed toward where the Lions will currently select in each round: No. 28, 60 and 102 overall, respectively. The approximate draft round projections are as of April 14th.

State of the position

The Lions have to replace right guard Zeitler after one year. Last season's sixth-round rookie, Christian Mahogany, sure looked like the long-term solution in his late-season audition.

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Left guard Graham Glasgow returns, but this is a spot where the Lions can get better. Glasgow was PFF's lowest-graded offensive lineman over the final six weeks of the season, and the eye test validated his brutal score. He turns 33 this summer and the Lions have a fairly easy out on his contract after 2025, so a long-term replacement is in dire need here, even if Glasgow rebounds for a better upcoming season (and he can!)

Center is set with All-Pro Frank Ragnow, who admitted after the season that he's healthier than he's felt in some time. The 28-year-old has battled through injuries but remains locked in as the leader of the line and is under contract through 2026. Glasgow is his primary backup, which is (again) the role for which the veteran is best-suited at this juncture.

The rest of the depth is up for grabs. Kayode Awosika returns and has proven a capable run blocker in spot duty, though it's probably telling that a player with his experience couldn't even get league-minimum contract offers elsewhere this offseason. Enigmatic Giovanni Manu, whom the Lions used this year's third-round pick to obtain in the 2024 NFL Draft, is very tall for a guard ― aside from being a complete football greenhorn. Still, coach Dan Campbell did leave open the potential for Manu to play inside. Colby Sorsdal flamed out quickly in his move from tackle to guard, too. Veteran Netane Muti was pushing Glasgow in training camp last summer before suffering yet another major injury (shoulder), something that has dogged the 26-year-old throughout his football career. If healthy, Muti is an ideal No. 3 guard. Big "if"...

Kingsley Eguakun, an undrafted rookie in 2024, can challenge for the backup center role, as can Michael Niese, who returns for a second season. In total, the depth could be worse, but it also can be upgraded for 2025 and beyond in this draft.

First round: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

He might be an even better prospect at tackle after his starring turn at left tackle in Ohio State's title run, but Jackson is generally regarded as an NFL guard. Jackson is the rare case of a five-star recruit who also qualifies as a collegiate late-bloomer, taking a big jump in his technical skills and play strength in 2024.