The Detroit Lions have built their recent success on a foundation that starts in the trenches. But this season, that foundation has shown a few cracks-not catastrophic, but enough to make it clear that change is coming, and soon.
The retirement of longtime center Frank Ragnow last offseason left a leadership and talent void right in the heart of the offensive line. Compounding that loss, promising left guard Christian Mahogany has been sidelined with an injury.
While the group remains solid, it’s not quite operating at the dominant level we’ve come to expect. Still, one thing is clear: the offensive line remains a top priority in Detroit.
General manager Brad Holmes made that much obvious with a metaphor that’s stuck ever since he said it: “You’ve got to keep the whole garden watered.” In other words, don’t just fix what’s broken-keep everything growing. Holmes has backed up that philosophy with action.
In the 2024 draft, he doubled down on the offensive line, selecting Christian Mahogany and offensive tackle Giovanni Manu. And he didn’t stop there. This past April, he added two more linemen: Tate Ratledge, who already looks like a long-term solution at right guard (and possibly even center down the line), and Miles Frazier, a versatile interior lineman who gives the Lions valuable flexibility.
Holmes’ approach is less about plugging holes and more about long-term sustainability. And with two current starters on the wrong side of 30, the Lions know they can’t afford to wait until the wheels fall off. They’re already looking ahead.
That brings us to ESPN’s latest 2026 mock draft from Field Yates, which offers a glimpse into how Detroit might continue to "water the garden." With the 17th overall pick, Yates projects the Lions to select Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu-a move that makes a lot of sense, especially with veteran left tackle Taylor Decker now 31 and openly considering retirement.
Decker, who’s been a rock on the blind side for years, told the Detroit Free Press he’ll weigh retirement after the season. Whether he decides to hang it up or not, the Lions have to be thinking about life after No.
- And Lomu could be the perfect heir apparent.
At 6-foot-6, 304 pounds, Lomu checks all the boxes. He’s smooth in pass protection, a physical presence in the run game, and-here’s the kicker-he didn’t allow a single sack this season.
Just six pressures all year. That kind of consistency, especially in a Power Five conference, is exactly what NFL teams look for in a future left tackle.
While Lomu might not have the name recognition of his Utah teammate Spencer Fano-who Yates has going eighth overall to Arizona-there’s a growing belief that Lomu could be the better long-term prospect. ESPN’s Jordan Reid currently ranks Lomu as his top offensive tackle in the 2026 class, even ahead of Fano. Some scouts reportedly see Fano’s NFL future at guard, while Lomu’s upside at tackle gives him a higher ceiling in the eyes of evaluators.
The Lions are in a strong position here. They don’t need a left tackle today, but they might very soon. And if Decker does choose to retire, or even if he plays out the final two years of his deal, having a young, high-upside tackle like Lomu in the pipeline would be a smart play.
Holmes has shown he’s not waiting for problems to arise-he’s addressing them before they become urgent. That’s how you build a roster that lasts. The Lions’ offensive line has been their engine, and if they want to keep that engine running smoothly into the next phase of their competitive window, investing in a player like Lomu could be the next step.
One thing’s for sure: as long as Brad Holmes is calling the shots, the garden’s going to stay watered.