By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions may have found a surprising successor to Frank Ragnow much earlier than expected, and his name is Tate Ratledge.
Following Ragnow’s unexpected retirement—an emotional moment for the organization and fans alike—the Lions were suddenly left without one of the league’s most consistent and dominant interior offensive linemen. Replacing a talent like Ragnow is no small task, and Detroit didn’t have an immediate plug-and-play option on the roster. But then came Ratledge.
The rookie out of Georgia, originally drafted as a guard, is turning heads in OTAs by taking most of his snaps at center. And he’s not just filling space—he’s reportedly getting more work at the position than veterans like Graham Glasgow and Trystan Colon, both of whom have center experience. That’s a strong sign the coaching staff sees something special.
Ratledge seems to be adapting quickly to the role, earning valuable reps and possibly carving out a path to a breakout rookie season. Though offensive linemen rarely get much spotlight, Ratledge could be an exception—especially playing alongside a dominant force like Penei Sewell.
Coming out of college, Ratledge already had a solid reputation. ESPN’s Field Yates was among those high on the former Bulldog, noting his potential impact if deployed properly.
“Lions GM Brad Holmes has made it a point to target reliable and extremely tough players in the draft. That describes Ratledge well,” Yates wrote. “He allowed only one sack in each of the past two seasons at Georgia and exudes toughness on tape. Kevin Zeitler’s departure to Tennessee opens a starting guard job in Detroit, and I like Ratledge’s chances to fill that role.”
What makes Ratledge even more appealing is his versatility. Before Ragnow even announced his retirement, Ratledge had shared with reporters that he’d already taken snaps at center in college. His experience cross-training at both guard and center at Georgia now seems more important than ever.
Ratledge was ranked as the second-best interior offensive lineman in this year’s draft by Pro Football Focus and was rated fourth in run-blocking among Power Four guards in 2024. That kind of profile makes him more than just a fill-in—he could be the future anchor of the Lions’ offensive line.
Brad Holmes’ draft strategy, which focused on building up the trenches, might already be paying dividends. With his strong run-blocking abilities and growing comfort at center, Ratledge has the tools to thrive in Detroit. Now, it’s just about getting game-time reps and continuing to adjust.
If his early progress is any indication, Tate Ratledge may be ready to step into some very big shoes—and do so confidently.