Lions Rookie Is a Hidden Treasure Waiting to Be Unearthed

Aside from signing corner D.J. Reed, the Detroit Lions' offseason has been consistently quiet. This doesn't come as a surprise for a roster that already had all of the pieces to make a Super Bowl run. Health simply didn't fall Detroit's waylast year, and more than anything the franchise simply needed time to get key pieces back. With this in mind, the biggest additions this offseason are going to be in the team's draft class. The Lions have consistently drafted well under the current front office, and there isn't any reason to believe that is going to change. One player in particular stands out from this year's class.

Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge is exactly the type of player the franchise needed to add with recent losses. The rookie has extensive experience playing with a Georgia offense that is known for its level of physicality. Playing a brutal schedule the lineman has plenty of experience playing NFL-level talent. All of this suggests Ratledge is going to have an instant impact and provide a level of stability on the inside for Detroit.

The Lions Are Lucky to Have Tate Ratledge

One of the biggest losses of the offseason for any team was Frank Ragnow's surprise retirement. It is impossible to replace his impact or stability overnight. However, the Lions now have at least one piece that is going to help solve this problem. Head coach Dan Campbell is going to love the ferocity with which Ratledge plays and how capable the guard is of setting up the run.

It is understandable that this addition isn't demanding many headlines throughout the league. Adding to the offensive line isn't the splashy type of move pundits love to pay attention to. Yet it is these decisions that have the most impact outside of the quarterback position. Even with one of the league's star quarterbacks, if you can't win in the trenches, you're winning very little of note.

With this in mind, Lions fans should be ecstatic about the addition of the new lineman, who is going to have an instant positive impact. Ratledge is quietly the team's best offensive addition of the offseason and is poised for a breakout year.