Earlier this week, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said they likely aren’t done adding to their offensive line, with a veteran signing or NFL Draft addition possible over the next month. In addition to that, it sounds like the Lions may play around with the players they already have on the roster.
We know Detroit’s starting lineup is going to change from 2024. With veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler signing with the Titans, the Lions will need to assign a new starter this year. While many believe 2024 sixth-round Christian Mahogany has done enough his rookie season to be the assumed starter, Holmes made it clear they aren’t just handing him the job based on two career starts.
“It’s a small sample size of the starts that he played,” Holmes said. “They were promising, they were encouraging. We do feel like he has starter-level ability, but he is still a young player, so we still need to make sure that he has competition.”
The Lions brought back some of that competition with veterans Kayode Awosika and Netane Muti, but more is expected along the way. In the meantime, the Lions are considering what to do with the pieces they have, and that starts with last year’s starting left guard Graham Glasgow.
The 32-year-old veteran is in the second year of a three-year deal. In 2023, he had a very successful season at right guard, but he took a step back at left guard this past year. Coach Dan Campbell said there have been discussions about moving him back to right guard, but they’re still working that out.
“I don’t know. That’s a thought, man. We’ve talked about that. Do you go back to right and is it Mahogany left? Is it somebody we drafted?” Campbell said. “You know, you’re gonna do your best to let these guys compete and see where they’re at.”
One other moving piece could be 2024 fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu. The developmental lineman out of British Columbia took basically all of his practice reps at tackle last year, but Campbell says they’re also considering throwing him into the mix at guard.
“Do we try Manu guard? That’s a thought,” Campbell said. “So, we’re gonna try to let these guys compete a little bit and move them around and see what’s right, see where we’re at. But, you know, it’s not gonna be set in stone.”
Campbell made it clear there are pros and cons to trying Manu along the interior.
“You’re gonna kind of take a leap of faith and push those reps and see if he can grow from them, you know? Do you do that or do you keep him outside?” Campbell said, thinking aloud.
Regardless of whether Glasgow plays left or right, Mahogany takes the leap to starter, or Manu joins the interior competition, there will be changes ahead for the Lions offensive line. And much of how the Lions will proceed will likely depend on the roster moves still ahead at offensive line, whether that’s a free agent signing, draft selection, or both.
