By Sunday 
Let’s be honest: the Detroit Lions’ offensive line took some serious hits this offseason. With the unexpected retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler heading to the Titans, what was once one of the league’s most feared front fives suddenly feels… a little toothless.
But hope isn’t lost — and it’s not just pinned on rookie Tate Ratledge. Enter Christian Mahogany, the unassuming sixth-rounder who’s now turning heads in a big way.
From Bench Warmer to Breakout Watchlist
Christian Mahogany barely got a taste of the action last season — just parts of seven games and one start. But that was all it took for Pro Football Focus (PFF) to sit up and take notice.
In fact, they just named him to their 2025 All-Breakout Team, and the numbers backing up that decision are seriously impressive. In just 144 snaps, Mahogany ranked in the 99th percentile for true pass blocking set grade and the 97th percentile for fewest negatively graded run-blocking plays. That’s elite-level stuff, especially for a guy who was still learning the ropes.
The Hank Fraley Factor
A huge reason to believe in Mahogany’s rise? Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley. While the team lost a lot of coaching talent this offseason, Fraley stayed — and that matters. He’s got a reputation for molding under-the-radar linemen into game-ready starters.
If there’s any coach who can help Mahogany reach his ceiling, it’s Fraley.
A Hidden Gem at 332 Pounds
Here’s the wildest part: Mahogany wasn’t even supposed to be this good, this fast. He came into the league as a sixth-round pick, overlooked by nearly every team. But now, he’s being mentioned among the best young interior linemen in the league.
His 2024 PFF grade? Seventh among 136 qualified guards. That’s no fluke. The dude’s got a rare combo of sheer power and sneaky agility for someone his size.
Shuffling the Deck
Mahogany’s emergence isn’t just good news for him — it could give the entire Lions offensive line some much-needed clarity. If he locks down the left guard spot, veteran Graham Glasgow could slide into center to replace Ragnow. That leaves Ratledge, the Georgia product, right where he’s most comfortable — at right guard.
Of course, it’s all hypothetical until the season kicks off. If Mahogany falters, Detroit may need to reshuffle again. But for now? The team’s counting on him to step up — and so far, he’s giving every reason to believe he will.
The Lions May Have Struck Gold
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Christian Mahogany still has a lot to prove. But he’s already shown flashes of someone ready to punch far above his draft status. In a year where the Lions are patching holes on the fly, Mahogany could end up being one of the biggest answers to their biggest questions.
And if he pans out the way many now expect? A lot of front offices will be kicking themselves for letting him fall to Day 3.