Detroit Lions should be drawn to the loaded offensive line class in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Top of the class: Oregon State’s OT Joe Alt, Penn State’s OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Washington’s OL Troy Fautanu, Oregon State’s OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon’s iOL Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Georgia’s OT Amarius Mims
Powers-Johnson, Mims, OL Graham Barton (Duke), iOL Zach Frazier (West Virginia), OL Jordan Morgan (Arizona), and OL Kingsley Suamataia (BYU) are among the first-round candidates for Detroit.
Day 2-3: Potential candidates include Morgan, Frazier, Suamataia, OL Matt Goncalves (Pittsburgh), iOL Cooper Beebe (Kansas State), OL Christian Jones (Texas), iOL Christian Haynes (Connecticut), and iOL Christian Mahogany (Boston College).
Fits in the late rounds: iOL Dylan McMahon (North Carolina State), OT Jalen Sundell (North Dakota State), iOL Hunter Nourzad (Penn State), OL Julian Pearl (Illinois), iOL Javion Cohen (Miami, Florida), iOL Zak Zinter (Michigan).
Breakdown: Building on the success the Detroit Lions have enjoyed over the past three seasons in the offensive trenches is no small feat. Maintaining that elite level on the offensive line is even more difficult. However, Brad Holmes appears to have handled that task once more, and he deserves great credit for maintaining his strength.
It’s not as urgent as it would have been in the absence of Zeitler. With Kayode Awosika, who has made several starts, and the developing Colby Sorsdal, the Lions even have good depth. However, with Glasgow about to enter its eighth season, all-world center Frank Ragnow persevering through a toe injury that has bothered him for three years, Zeitler’s short-term contract, and Taylor Decker’s contract nearing its end, there is potential for one or two long-term additions to the offensive line.
Heck, if you look at our weekly mock draft roundups, you’ll see that the Lions had offensive line picks left on Day 1. That way of thinking complements the notion that Zeitler might be done, but still leaves the team open-minded in case something goes wrong.
It’s worth considering even after adding a new starter because MLive’s Lions beat writers mentioned in last week’s Dungeon of Doom mailbag podcast that the O-line may offer the best value or talent at pick 29.
The best players in this year’s offensive line class have been extensively dissected by us. By the time the Lions are on the board, those elite names are unlikely to be there.
But Amarius Mims, Graham Barton, and Jackson Powers-Johnson might be involved.
Because of his prior experience playing guard and his subsequent development as the best center in the country, Powers-Johnson is a favorite fit. Additionally, he hails from an offensive line room and program that the Lions are familiar with in Oregon (Penei Sewell). Barton fits those boxes as well as having played all over the field. Furthermore, Mims is a freak athlete of the highest caliber who is typically unavailable at Pick 29.
However, since that seems to be the sweet spot for Detroit’s situation, let’s take some time to examine three interior offensive line names to keep an eye on on Days 2 and 3. The wide receiver and defensive needs of the Lions may take precedence over long-term offensive line considerations. Ragnow is still there.
Three guards to keep an eye on are Christian Mahogany from Boston College, Cooper Beebe from Kansas State, and Christian Haynes from Connecticut. A year spent learning from the likes of Glasgow, Ragnow, and Zeitler on the inside while vying for spots against Sorsdal and Awosika could be advantageous for all three of those players.
In this year’s class, Haynes may be the best pure guard because he isn’t a moveable center or tackle. He was a four-year starter for the Huskies at right guard before becoming well-known at the Senior Bowl. In the past two seasons, Haynes has only given up one sack and two quarterback hits (1,613 snaps). Additionally, he uses his strong frame to block runs naturally (6-foot-3, 317 pounds).
