By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
The 2025 season made one thing painfully clear for the Detroit Lions: the “trench dominance” that defined their rise has become a liability. With the sudden retirement of Frank Ragnow, the departure of Kevin Zeitler, and Taylor Decker’s mounting injury struggles, the 2026 NFL Draft is no longer about “best player available”—it is about rebuilding the fortress.
Here is a breakdown of the elite prospects who could restore the roar to Detroit’s offensive line.
The Anchor: Replacing Frank Ragnow (Center)
The experiment with Graham Glasgow and Tate Ratledge at center in 2025 has been, at best, a stopgap. To stabilize Jared Goff, the Lions need a high-IQ, athletic communicator.
• Logan Jones (Iowa): The consensus “perfect fit.” Jones won the 2025 Rimington Award (nation’s best center) and led the Joe Moore Award-winning Iowa line. He is an elite athlete—ranking near the top of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List”—and has allowed only one sack in two seasons. He is the plug-and-play starter the Lions desperately need to restore their identity.
• Connor Lew (Auburn): A technician who has been a three-year starter in the SEC. Lew excels in the “climb,” getting to the second level to erase linebackers—a staple of what the Lions lost when Ragnow retired.
• Jake Slaughter (Florida): A massive, 6’5″ center who brings more raw power than the typical prospect. If Dan Campbell wants to return to “bully ball,” Slaughter is the man to move the pile.
The Protector: Preparing for Life After Taylor Decker (Left Tackle)
Taylor Decker has been a cornerstone, but his health in 2025 was a constant concern. With Penei Sewell locking down the right side, the Lions need a long-term blindside answer.
• Francis Mauigoa (Miami): A “block of granite.” Mauigoa has the versatility Brad Holmes loves; he played RT at Miami but has the feet and elite length to slide to LT. He is a “people mover” in the run game and would give Detroit the most physically imposing tackle duo in the NFL.
• Spencer Fano (Utah): If the Lions want a true pass-blocking specialist, Fano is the choice. He is incredibly agile and balanced, possessing the “vice-grip” hand strength necessary to neutralize the elite edge rushers of the NFC North.
• Kadyn Proctor (Alabama): A 6’7″, 360-pound mountain. Proctor is a pure power tackle who would immediately improve Detroit’s struggling short-yardage run game.
The Engine: Replacing Kevin Zeitler (Right Guard)
The loss of Zeitler’s veteran savvy was felt most in the “stunts” and “twists” that confused Detroit’s young guards all season.
• Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane (Penn State): The No. 1 interior prospect on many boards. Ioane is a “mauler” in the truest sense. He plays with a mean streak that matches the Detroit culture perfectly and has the functional strength to anchor against 350-pound nose tackles.
• Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): A converted tackle with elite range. Pregnon is ideal for the “pulling guard” schemes that Ben Johnson loved to run. His ability to lead the way for Jahmyr Gibbs on the perimeter would revitalize the Lions’ explosive play potential.
• Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M): A versatile “chess piece” who can play guard or tackle. His high football IQ would help mitigate the communication issues that plagued the interior line throughout the 2025 season.
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