The Detroit Lions drafted Tate Ratledge in the second-round with designs on him making an impact along their offensive line in 2025. Suddenly, he could be poised for an instant impact.
Frank Ragnow's retirement has shined a spotlight on the importance of offseason additions up front, and the most consequential is likely Ratledge given his elite play at Georgia. While Ratledge played at guard in college, he could be the center of the future in Detroit.
If that's the case, he could also make waves with his play. Though Ratledge is a rookie, he will be in a position to see a major role and if he does, he could have the talent to shine. According to NFL.com analyst Gennaro Filice, Ratledge is in line to be an All-Rookie at center in 2025.
"In the wake of Frank Ragnow’s retirement earlier this month, Detroit’s offensive line is in flux on the interior. Veteran lineman Graham Glasgow could be the initial replacement at the pivot, but the Lions were already cross-training Ratledge at guard and center before Ragnow officially decided to hang it up, so the rookie might present a longer-term replacement at this key spot," wrote Filice.
He added, "We’ll have to wait until training camp for more clarity, but Ratledge appears destined to start somewhere on the interior -- and the hyper-athletic big man enters the NFL with an impressive résumé, having started at Georgia for the last three seasons, earning first-team All-SEC honors in the past two."
As of now, Glasgow may start at center, but if there is an injury or abrupt change in play, Ratledge could step in fast. The rookie is poised to play some sort of role this season, and as analysts agree, has the talent to be a force immediately when he does.
Dan Campbell hints Tate Ratledge could be ready for fast impact
Will Ratledge be ready to seize the starting center role? It's possible as long as he continues to bank experience in practice and make quality use of his reps. Campbell has seen a rookie step in flawlessly in the past, and knows the situation can manifest itself again in Detroit.
"The experience is big. Whether it's (center) or it's the guy next to you (at guard), that can help out a lot too, but you're going to need some experience somewhere in there and as long as you have that, you're okay," Campbell expressed about the shift on the O-line.
The head coach added, "Erik McCoy, he played center in college at Texas A&M when I was at New Orleans and Max Unger had just retired. We were fortunate we drafted him and he was plug and play. We put him in, he grew quickly and by game three (or) game four, he was cooking, Doesn't mean you won't have growing pains, but the development can happen fast."
Detroit has Glasgow to lean on either at center or guard, who is poised to have an important season no matter where he plays given the veteran savvy he will bring. Additionally, the Lions have rookie Miles Frazier to piece in as well as veteran Trystan Colon if need be.
The focus and spotlight is still firmly on Ratledge at this point. If he has an All-Rookie type season in replacement of Ragnow, it's safe to say the Lions offense may not suffer any setbacks up front.
