The Detroit Lions have age-related questions at both guard spots as the offseason really gets going. Soon-to-be 35-year old Kevin Zeitler, coming off an excellent season at right guard, is a free agent. Graham Glasgow will turn 33 before next season starts, and he's coming off a rough season at left guard.
Despite being older, Zeitler is lined up to have several suitors in free agency and he could find a nice pay day the Lions won't match. In a big picture sense, general manager Brad Holmes is keenly aware of making sure one of the best offensive lines in the NFL stays that way.
The Lions could go many ways with the 28th overall pick in April, and in his most recent mock draft NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has them taking Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson.
Lions replace a starting guard in Daniel Jeremiah's new 2025 mock draft
Jeremiah had a concise evaluation for how Jackson would fit with the Lions.
"Jackson would be a perfect replacement for Kevin Zeitler if the veteran departs in free agency."
Jackson was a first-team All-American for the national champion Buckeyes last season, as he was also named First Team All-Big Ten for the third straight season. He moved from left guard to left tackle to replace an injured Josh Simmons during the season and held up well (Pro Football Focus pass blocking grade of at least 74.5 in six of his last eight full games). He spent the previous two seasons at left guard, with PFF grading him as a top-30 guard in the country in 2022.
In terms of replace Zeitler, as Jeremiah suggested, Jackson did play some right guard as a freshman in 2021.
The more ideal fit for Jackson on the Lions' offensive line, most likely if Zeitler departs as a free agent, would seem to be at left guard. Glasgow was a top-10 graded guard by PFF in 2023 while playing the right side. Christian Mahogany looked good in both of his starts as a rookie, one at each guard spot, so he could compete to start at either spot (if he's not anointed as a starter at one or the other in the meantime).
If things go a certain way in free agency, Jackson looks to be a nice fit for the Lions late in the first round.
