The Detroit Lions have gotten to work this offseason, locking down almost every single player they drafted in 2025. They signed every Day 3 pick right before rookie minicamp began, and most recently signed their Round 1 selection, defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, to a rookie scale deal.
Six out of seven Lions draftees are now officially with the team on longer term deals - which leaves just one odd man out. Guard Tate Ratledge, who was selected in the 2nd round by Detroit to shore up their offensive line depth, has yet to sign a deal with the team despite participating in camp. This probably means he will eventually sign a deal, but is working out kinks common to 2nd round rookie contracts.
Let's get into why those contracts can be a bit hairy, and why it doesn't mean that Ratledge isn't a lock to be a Lion longterm.
Lions' rookie contract signings so far, and what it means for Ratledge
Detroit has locked down the following draft picks ahead of the 2025 season:
1st round: Tyleik Williams (4 year, $16.4 million guaranteed deal)
3rd round: Isaac TeSlaa (4 year, $6.6 million deal)
5th round: Miles Frazier (4 year, $4.52 million deal)
6th round: Ahmed Hassanein (4 year, $4.42 million deal)
7th round: Dan Jackson (4 year, $4.3 million deal)
7th round: Dominic Lovett (4 year, $4 million deal)
This leaves Ratledge on the outside looking in. The guard is a 2nd round pick, which makes negotiating a deal a bit different than that of someone like Williams who would command a deal in the range he received. Ratledge is projected by Spotrac to be for four years and $7.6 million.
Ratledge could very well compete for a starting role this season, which makes negotiations just a little tricky for the Lions and the rookie as he's likely seeking a deal like Spotrac's projection, or even higher, for his services. The former Georgia Bulldog had a grade of 74.4 from PFF, and he could slide in for the departed Kevin Zeitler.
Where Ratledge was picked, therefore, may matter less than why he was drafted. He could very well start, and that would command a contract higher than the anticipated $7.6 million per Spotrac. We'll see what can get done between the two sides, but it doesn't seem like there's any conflict between the rookie and the Lions front office right now in regards to a deal.a
