By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions head into the new season with one of their strongest assets noticeably weakened—the offensive line. The retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow dealt a major blow to the heart of the unit, and letting veteran guard Kevin Zeitler walk in free agency only made matters worse. It’s a tough loss for a team that has built its recent success on gritty, powerful line play.
Much of the spotlight is naturally falling on rookie Tate Ratledge, the team’s second-round pick, who is expected to play a significant role, possibly stepping in at center or right guard. But there’s another name quietly generating buzz in Detroit—Christian Mahogany.
Mahogany, a sixth-round pick, isn’t exactly a household name. Yet, his performance in limited action last season has started turning heads. Pro Football Focus named him to their All-Breakout Team for 2025, and the numbers behind that nod are eye-opening. In just 144 snaps, Mahogany ranked in the 99th percentile in true pass blocking set grade and 97th percentile in fewest negatively graded run-blocking plays. That kind of efficiency, even in a small sample size, is hard to ignore.
One key figure who might help Mahogany turn potential into production is offensive line coach Hank Fraley. Despite an offseason filled with coaching changes, Fraley remains in Detroit—a big win for the team. Known for developing under-the-radar linemen into reliable starters, Fraley could be the perfect mentor to guide Mahogany into a breakout year.
Last season, Mahogany saw the field in parts of seven games and started just one, but the flashes of promise were enough to elevate him into the conversation for a starting job. In fact, his PFF grade ranked seventh out of 136 qualified guards, showing just how much upside he might bring. A strong, powerful blocker at 332 pounds, Mahogany also moves with surprising agility, making him a rare blend of size and footwork.
If Mahogany can step up, it could allow Graham Glasgow to slide over to center, keeping Ratledge at his natural position at right guard—something the Lions would likely prefer. But if Mahogany can’t hold the line, we could see some reshuffling, with Glasgow and Ratledge filling the left guard and center spots instead, and right guard becoming the next puzzle to solve.
Mahogany may not have the experience of a seasoned starter, but he’s already shown enough to suggest he could be a crucial piece in helping Detroit move forward without Ragnow anchoring the middle.