The Detroit Lions are entering unfamiliar territory without longtime center Frank Ragnow anchoring the offensive line. After years of being the quiet, steady presence in the middle, Ragnow called it a career — and now the big question is: how big of a blow is this for Detroit’s playoff hopes?
Vegas oddsmakers are already adjusting. Early NFL win totals are surfacing, and the Lions’ projections seem to be drifting slightly downward. It’s not panic time, but there’s a noticeable ripple. When you lose a guy who’s been the heartbeat of your O-line, the betting world takes notice.
The Lions did make moves in the draft, grabbing Georgia’s Tate Ratledge and LSU’s Miles Frazier to shore up the trenches. But expecting rookies to immediately replicate Ragnow’s leadership and football IQ might be asking a lot. The center position isn’t just about snapping the ball — it’s about commanding the line, reading defenses, and keeping Jared Goff upright.
Meanwhile, over in the world of predictions and preseason hype, NFL Rookie of the Year discussions are already in full swing. Names like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Caleb Williams are leading the pack, but don’t sleep on some of the lesser-known rookies with strong fits in their systems.
Back to the Lions: this team still has the firepower to contend. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a legit star, Jahmyr Gibbs is electric, and the defense is more aggressive than it’s been in years. But without Ragnow’s stability, Detroit’s margin for error just got slimmer — and that makes every snap, every block, and every decision up front all the more crucial.
Lions Lose a Leader, Vegas Adjusts: Win Totals and Rookie Watch Heating Up
