Official: Detroit Lions finally announce a perfect replacement for Frank Ragnow.
The Detroit Lions are undoubtedly making plans for the future, particularly with the offensive line. It appears that Tate Ratledge might play a significant role in that future, perhaps even as Frank Ragnow’s heir apparent at center, based on what we seen and heard at rookie minicamp.
An Adaptable Rookie Making an Early Impression
The Lions associate general manager Ray Agnew discussed second-round selection Tate Ratledge during Friday morning’s rookie minicamp, and it’s evident the management is enthusiastic about his potential, particularly on the inside of the offensive line.
“When you first see him, you realize that he is a large man. He is a large, tall, and lengthy guy. However, you adore the player’s adaptability. According to Agnew, who was cited by Pride of Detroit, “He can play multiple positions inside and the interior.”
The walkthroughs on Friday provided a clear demonstration of such adaptability. In fact, Ratledge started the day as the starting center during 11-on-11 drills, according to Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman. Later, when Leif Fautanu, an undrafted rookie, received center reps, he moved to right guard. However, it seems that throughout the squad’s main team moments, Ratledge spent more time at center than any other position.
He’s a guard by trade, but he may play center.
Reisman points out that Ratledge’s undergraduate transcript makes it quite evident that he was a right guard at his core. He played 2,070 offensive snaps in three seasons at Georgia, 2,066 of which were at right guard and only four at left guard. Even though it wasn’t on his college tape, Ratledge was still accustomed to playing center.
Coaches at Georgia had him take center repetitions throughout practice and cross-train him frequently. However, playing running center in the NFL is a different animal, particularly for a rookie who is learning a new playbook. It is clear how much the Lions trust Ratledge’s football IQ that they are already putting him to the test.
Agnew stated, “When you go through the (scouting) process and you vet them, you find out how much these guys can handle mentally, and you understand how much these guys can do.” “Those two guys are capable of managing everything.” That makes us happy.
Ratledge and Miles Frazier, a fifth-round selection and another lineman the Lions think can play a variety of roles, were also mentioned by Agnew.
What Does Frank Ragnow Stand to Gain from This?
To be clear, Frank Ragnow is still the best, and unless something changes, he will remain the mainstay of Detroit’s lineup in 2025. However, throughout the years, Ragnow, who turns 29 this month, has struggled with a number of ailments. He hasn’t shown any signs of considering retiring anytime soon; in fact, he made it apparent that he was locked in about a year ago.
Last spring, Ragnow told reporters that he was “100% committed” to winning for the Lions and that he wasn’t considering quitting football. However, Detroit is wise to be ready for everything.
Even if Ratledge starts out at guard, it’s easy to see him becoming the next man up in the middle if he keeps demonstrating that he can handle center responsibilities.
The Bottom Line
Even though it’s early, Tate Ratledge is already having a big impact at Lions camp. It’s evident that Detroit views him as a key component going forward, and perhaps as Frank Ragnow’s long-term replacement, regardless of whether he plays guard or center.
