The Detroit Lions are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the biggest question facing the franchise isn’t about quarterback play, wide receiver depth, or even the defense-it’s the offensive line. More specifically, how they rebuild a unit that lost its anchor and never quite found its footing in 2025.
When Frank Ragnow unexpectedly retired, it didn’t just leave a hole at center-it disrupted the entire foundation of Detroit’s offensive front. Graham Glasgow stepped in, but the results were inconsistent at best. The ripple effect was felt across the line, and the offense struggled to maintain the rhythm and physicality that had defined its identity in previous seasons.
Now, with backup tackle Dan Skipper also retiring and Glasgow’s future with the team uncertain, the Lions are facing a full-blown retooling job up front. There’s even speculation that longtime left tackle Taylor Decker could be the next domino to fall. Whether Decker returns or not, Detroit has to start planning for the future-and that future likely starts in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Free agency isn’t offering much help this year. The tackle market is thin, and overspending on a marginal upgrade doesn’t fit GM Brad Holmes’ usual playbook.
Fortunately for Detroit, the draft class is shaping up to be rich with offensive line talent, particularly at tackle. That’s where the Lions could strike gold.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently projected six offensive tackles going in the first round, including Spencer Fano (Utah) and Francis Mauigoa (Miami) landing in the top five. Other first-round names include Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Monroe Freeling (Georgia), Blake Miller (Clemson), and Caleb Lomu (Utah).
It’s a deep group, and that depth gives Detroit flexibility. They don’t need to reach.
They can trust their board, stay patient, and still come away with a difference-maker-whether that’s in the middle of the first round or even early on Day 2.
That’s a luxury, especially when you consider Holmes’ track record in the trenches. He’s already hit on Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, and Tate Ratledge-players who’ve brought both talent and toughness to the line. If Holmes can find another gem outside the first round, it could allow the Lions to address other roster needs early while still reinforcing the offensive front.
And speaking of Sewell-he remains the bedrock of this line. Even in a 2025 season where he didn’t quite reach his All-Pro ceiling, Sewell was still a force. He brings more than just physical dominance-he brings leadership, consistency, and a mindset that permeates the entire room.
Sewell isn’t just confident in his own game-he’s confident in the group’s ability to bounce back. “You could just look around at the type of guys we have in the locker room.
We were so close that one year (in 2023). We have the guys.
The belief will never change,” he said. “So going into next year, I think it's just the little things we've got to focus on detail-wise, whether it's an individual technique or in the play itself.
We just got to come together and work on that.”
That belief matters. Culture matters.
And in Detroit, the offensive line has long been a tone-setter for the entire team. If the Lions are going to take the next step and get back to where they were trending just a couple seasons ago, it starts with rebuilding that wall up front.
Whether it’s a first-round pick or a mid-round steal, expect a new face to join Sewell in the trenches this spring. The only real question is when that move will come. But make no mistake-the Lions know where their offseason focus lies, and they’re in a strong position to get it right.