The Detroit Lions’ left guard battle is about to get a lot more interesting, and Christian Mahogany has every reason to feel the pressure.
For now, the spotlight has been on center, where Juice Scruggs has stepped in and looked like a real upgrade. Through three games, Pro Football Focus has Scruggs ranked fourth among all centers with a 71.5 grade.
His work in the run game has been especially strong, with a 78.7 mark that ranks second at the position. The pass protection hasn’t been as clean - his 63.5 pass-blocking grade sits 14th among centers - but overall, he’s given Detroit exactly the kind of stability it needed inside.
That matters because Cade Mays is still working back from a broken wrist, and his return timeline remains tied to around or after the Bye in three weeks. That gives Scruggs at least two more games to keep the job warm before Mays is back in the mix. If Scruggs keeps playing at this level, the Lions can afford to be patient and make sure Mays is truly ready.
But the bigger ripple effect may show up at left guard.
Speaking Tuesday on 97.1 The Ticket, Dan Campbell made it clear that Scruggs will not just slide back into a comfortable role when Mays returns. Asked whether Scruggs would rejoin the LG competition, Campbell answered: "Absolutely," Campbell said without hesitation.
That puts Mahogany on notice. He’s already spent the offseason fending off challengers for the starting spot, and the early returns have been encouraging. After a Week 1 hip injury knocked him out for Week 2, he came back in Week 3 and delivered one of his best performances yet.
Against the New York Jets on Sunday, Mahogany posted the third-highest pass-blocking grade among all offensive linemen on PFF at 88.5, tied with fellow Lions guard Tate Ratledge. On the season, Mahogany owns an 88.8 pass-blocking grade, which ranks second among guards, along with a 79.6 overall grade.
PFF is not the final word on anything, but if Week 3 is a sign of real progress and Detroit’s rebuilt line is starting to settle in, the picture changes fast. Scruggs could wind up back on the bench once Mays returns, even after being one of the better interior linemen through three weeks.
That’s the kind of depth problem every team wants.
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Dan Campbell said Cade Mays is making progress in his recovery, but a Week 4 return may still be a stretch, and the Lions may choose to wait until after the bye before bringing him back into the mix. That leaves Detroit weighing continuity against the possibility of getting Mays back in place at center, a choice that could shape how the line holds up in the games that matter most for the division race. [Read more 🡒]