The Detroit Lions continue to bolster their trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft and have selected Georgia offensive guard Tate Ratledge with pick No. 57 in the second round. Let’s take a look at his background and traits and discuss how his addition will impact the Lions roster in 2025 and beyond.
Round 2, pick 57: Tate Ratledge, RG, Georgia
The Lions originally held pick No. 60 in the NFL Draft, but they weren’t willing to let Ratledge slip through their fingers and traded up with the Broncos to acquire pick No. 57. Anytime a team is willing to part with assets in order to move up to acquire a player speaks to a player’s fit with the organization and how the front office perceives their value.
Fit with the Lions
The Lions prefer athletic interior offensive linemen who can deploy power in their gap-blocking sets while also having the range and athleticism to move when they run outside zone. At Georgia, Ratledge was versed in both blocking schemes and has the power, range, and athleticism (RAS: 9.96).
A three-year starter (37 games) at right guard on Georgia’s offensive line, Ratledge checks in at 6-foot-6 1⁄2, 308 pounds, and is a bully on the football field. A self-described “dirtbag” in the trenches, Ratledge earned a Tier 1 status in our Grit Index, earning the third highest score (86.34) score in the entire class regardless of position.
A consistent dominator in the run game, Ratledge has the power to latch onto and control defenders, driving them out of the play (PFF Run blocking grade in 2024: 74.7). As a pass protector, he has the instincts to spot defensive line games (like stunts and blitzes), the athleticism to adjust on the fly, and the anchor to halt a pass rush on the move (PFF Pass blocking grade in 2024: 77.3). He also allowed only seven pressures in 2024. His punch timing can be off at times, which forces him to lean on a defender instead of maintaining distance and control, but that is a correctable issue that Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley can help him improve.
Roster Impact
The Lions return four starters on their offensive line from 2024 (Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, and Graham Glasgow), as well as their top reserve at tackle (Dan Skipper), guard (Christian Mahogany), and center (Brad Niese). Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler departed in the offseason, and the Lions did not replace him during the free agency period.
The addition of Ratledge gives the Lions a starting capable lineman to replace Zeitler and sets up competition at both guard positions.
Glasgow is the returning starter. However, he had his share of struggles in 2024 and will turn 33 years old during training camp, which puts his grasp on the starting left guard job in question. Mahogany shined as a replacement starter (earning PFF grades over 92.0 in each of his starts) last season, but he only has two starts under his belt (at both left and right guard), so he’ll need to prove he can be consistently dominant. Ratledge only played right guard at Georgia, but he should also immediately be in competition for a starting gig.
Look for the Lions to put all three guards in competition at both left and right guard in training camp and see how things shake out.
