The Detroit Lions may have one of the NFL’s most dominant offensive lines, but losing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency left a noticeable gap. With the draft just days away, it looks like help could be on the way—and Georgia’s Tate Ratledge might be the perfect fit.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicted Ratledge as the “ideal” first-round pick for Detroit, calling him a natural replacement for Zeitler. Known for his toughness and physicality in the run game, Ratledge fits Dan Campbell’s brand of gritty, no-nonsense football to a tee. If he’s still on the board at pick No. 28, he could be hard to pass up.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Ratledge as a “dirt-dog” type who plays with nasty intentions—exactly what Detroit’s ground game thrives on. He’s not the flashiest athlete, but he’s strong, disciplined, and rarely flagged. And most importantly, he’s NFL-ready.
Of course, the Lions aren’t putting all their eggs in the rookie basket. Christian Mahogany flashed promise last season, and Dan Campbell hinted that Giovanni Manu could get reps at guard too. Plus, GM Brad Holmes has been checking in on veteran free agents just in case.
Still, if Ratledge falls to Detroit on draft night, don’t be surprised if he’s wearing the Honolulu blue this fall. The Lions need trench help—and he brings the attitude and ability to contribute from Day 1.
Detroit Predicted to Plug O-Line Hole With Tough Tate Ratledge
