2 Lions youngsters tabbed as crucial for Detroit's 2025 season

The Detroit Lions' offensive line is going to look very different in 2025.

Thanks to the retirement of Frank Ragnow and departure of Kevin Zeitler in free agency, Detroit will have two new starters upfront this coming season.

Vying for those two spots are 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany and 2025 second-round pick Tate Ratledge, who could land at guard or center depending on where the team puts veteran Graham Glasgow.

With Mahogany and Ratledge in line to be starters on a team that is expected to compete for a Super Bowl, CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles listed both in an article naming 50 players who "could shape the 2025 season."

The Lions drafted Ratledge in the second round in part because of his ability to play both guard and center. Little did they know they'd rely on it this quickly. After stalwart center Frank Ragnow retired at 29, Detroit has an opening at center, and Ratledge and veteran Graham Glasgow are the primary candidates. If Ratledge doesn't end up at center, he will likely start at one guard spot, with Mahogany at the other. A sixth-round pick in 2024, Mahogany played limited snaps as a rookie but will step into a big role with Kevin Zeitler's departure.

While Ratledge is a total wild card, Mahogany does have two impressive starts under his belt in the NFL, which makes him a favorite to play at guard.

The Boston College product got his first start in Week 16 and surrendered just one pressure and zero sacks. He then was able to hold his own in the divisional round versus the Washington Commanders, giving up one sack and three pressures.

It appears Ratledge is going to compete with Glasgow for the starting center job in training camp, but the loser of that competition should take the other guard spot.

It's not difficult to see why Ratledge and Mahogany are so important to the Lions.

If either one doesn't adequately fill the massive shoes they're tasked with filling, Detroit could see a decline in its offense, which would be bad news is such a competitive division.