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    Predicting which Detroit Lions OL will make the initial 53-man roster

    By Mike Moraitis,

    10 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Umqvc_0uHufM1h00

    The Detroit Lions have been in the conversation for having the best offensive line in the NFL for a few years now, and that title was clinched following the 2023 campaign.

    The Lions had been running neck-and-neck with the Philadelphia Eagles, but with the Eagles losing a Hall of Fame center in Jason Kelce to retirement, there is no longer any debate about who owns the best group upfront.

    While that's all well and good, the Lions still have question marks along their offensive line thanks to the slew of inexperienced depth options they have.

    In our latest training camp preview for Detroit, we're taking a stab a predicting which Lions offensive linemen will make the team. Here's our projection:

    Lions 53-man prediction at OL

    LT Taylor Decker

    Decker remains one of the better left tackles in the league as he enters his age-30 season. But this is also the final year of his deal , so the Lions will have to decide whether or not to extend him at some point.

    LG Graham Glasgow

    Glasgow was inked to a three-year, $20 million extension earlier this offseason and is the only returning guard after Jonah Jackson left in free agency to the Los Angeles Rams.

    Glasgow played right guard last season but will slide over to the left to make room for Kevin Zeitler. He also has experience playing center, which makes him a great insurance policy just in case Frank Ragnow gets hurt.

    C Frank Ragnow

    Due to his comments following the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, there was some concern that Ragnow might retire, but he shot that notion down during the offseason, and it's not something he's even considering at 27 years old.

    Ragnow has been in the conversation as arguably the best center in the league for years now, and he might have officially taken over that title with the retirement of Jason Kelce.

    RG Kevin Zeitler

    The Lions replaced Jonah Jackson with Zeitler, who may actually provide an upgrade after a Pro Bowl campaign in 2023. The 34-year-old will ensure that Detroit doesn't miss a beat upfront in 2024, but he's only on a one-year deal.

    RT Penei Sewell

    One of the very best tackles in the sport, Sewell is now being paid like one after he and the Lions agreed to a massive extension this offseason. Sewell and Decker are arguably the best tackle duo in the NFL.

    OT Dan Skipper

    Skipper is the most experienced depth piece the Lions have on a bench that has no shortage of youth. Skipper brings added value with his ability to play inside and out. He only saw 34 pass-block snaps last season but didn't give up a sack and surrendered two pressures.

    G/T Colby Sorsdal

    Like Skipper, Sorsdal brings added value thanks to his ability to play guard and tackle. He saw action at both guard spors and right tackle last season, although most of his snaps came at right guard.

    Granted, the former fifth-round pick wasn't exactly great in those appearances, but he managed to hold his own overall and should be able to take a step forward in his second year. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley said during the offseason program that Sorsdal is "taking the right steps" toward doing exactly that.

    G Christian Mahogany

    It remains to be seen how quickly Mahogany will be ready to play snaps in his first season, but his development is important for the Lions, as they only have Zeitler on a one-year deal. Mahogany should make the roster, but where he lands in the backup pecking order remains to be seen.

    OT Giovanni Manu

    Manu is listed last for a reason. By all accounts, he's got a lot of work to do before he's ready to see the field, and making that process more challenging is the fact that the Lions might be switching him to guard after he played left tackle in college. Look for Manu to red shirt in Year 1.

    More 53-man predictions: QB | RB | WR | TE

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