Lions Offseason Positional Analysis: OL

This is the fifth in our series of roster analysis by position group for the 2026 offseason leading up to Free Agency and the NFL draft.  Today’s focus will be on the OL room, which may very well be the Detroit Lions biggest concern heading into the 2026 offseason. 

Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow

OL

• Under Contract:

  • Center: Graham Glasgow (C), Kayode Awosika (C), Seth McLaughlin (C – Futures)

  • Interior OL: Christian Mahogany (G), Tate Ratledge (G), Miles Frazier (G/T), Michael Niese (G-Re-ERFA Re-Signed), Colby Sorsdal (G)

  • Offensive Tackle: Penei Sewell (T), Taylor Decker (T), Devin Cochran (T-Futures), Giovanni Manu (T), Mason Miller (T - Futures)

• Free Agents:

  • Dan Skipper (T - FA Retiring), Jamarco Jones (T – UFA), Trystan Colon (C – UFA), Chris Hubbard (T – UFA PS)

Analysis:

I will begin with the anticipated starting five assuming the status quo carries into 2026. At RT, Penei Sewell will be the starter and anchor of the OL here or potentially moving to LT if Decker is unavailable, so I won’t spend much time on him. Speaking of which, Decker, who battle through shoulder injuries that hampered his performance last year, is the first major wildcard on the 2026 lineup, because he could possibly retire, be cut or restructure his deal to give it one more year. He is sitting on a $21M cap hit for 20206, which includes a $14.9M Base (restructure candidate) and a $1.5M roster bonus due on 3/15/26, which could hasten a decision on his future by the Lions. I believe that despite thinking about retirement, I believe that he will get his shoulder right and come back for one more year, as $21M is a lot of money to walk away from, even with a body that is breaking down and a young family taking shape.

RAS Compare of OGs Ratledge and Mahogany

The IOL has two young and upcoming players in LG Christian Mahogany and RG Tate Ratledge at the starting Guards, who I don’t anticipate changing positions or getting challengers brought in for their starting roles. Both played well in spots, and both struggle din spots last year, but much of that can be tied to the upheaval around them with Decker and Glasgow in and out of the lineup all season impacting the consistency. Speaking of which, C Glasgow is still under contract in 2026 with a cap hit of $8.4M and a Roster Bonus of $500K due on 3/13/26. His play at Center was below-par last year, but it is not his best position (RG is). Glasgow is in the exact same position s his good buddy Decker, in that he will either retire, get cut or ask to restructure his contract (likely cutting his base pay, but guaranteeing some of it) with the intent to reduce his role to a backup veteran presence. Regardless, at 34 years old with a poor season behind him, I think the Lions may look to cut him, but allow Glasgow the opportunity to retire on his own first if that is his decision. Either way, the Lions will probably have a new starting Center in 2026.

As for the backups, the Lions have a young trio of 6’7” Power Forwards at backup OT in Devin Cochrane, Giovanni Manu and Mason Miller, with both Cochrane and Miller signed to Futures deals. Miles Frazier could also get a look at OT, having played it at his time at LSU, but that would likely necessitate a move of Penei Sewell from RT to LT if/when Decker retires. Out of this batch, Manu was drafted to be the developmental guy, but despite his size and athleticism, he hasn’t shown enough yet to earn that trust. Cochrane was elevated form the Practice Squad for two games during the season but did not play, and in the Week 18 Bears game it was Veteran Chris Hubbard (who was not signed to a futures deal) that was elevated and played in place of Sewell at RT. Miller is a bit of an unknown, but has great size and was a consensus FCS All-American at North Dakota State in 2024.

The backup IOL all share one thing in common, they are all young and inexperienced. Awosika (27) and Niese (28) are the “veteran” guys, with Sorsdal (25-3rd Yr), Frazier (24-R) and McLaughlin (24-R) the depth, with all five combining to start six games in their short careers. Niese was an ERFA that was re-signed and McLaughlin was poached form the Bengals Practice Squad and signed to a futures deal, but was a Remington Award winner and two-time National Champion in his starting time at Ohio State and Alabama.

Options:

As the team sits, Decker coming back would be the ideal scenario, ass it would allow the Lions to take the best OL position available when they draft, whether it be C, IOL or OT. The FA Class at OT is kind of weak, with the two best options both Green Bay Packers and a whole lot of has beens, never was or injured guys you can’t count on. IOL is a better, but a lot of older guys hitting FA, but a handful of guys in their prime like Johnson, Faalele and Edwards from contenders like the Chargers, Ravens and Bills that are worth a shot. As for Center, outside of the Ravens Linderbaum or Bills McGovern, it’s a crapshoot of players from bad teams or not much playing time, so a position move or draft for the Lions may be the answer. The draft is deep at OT, with as many as eight being mocked into Rd 1, but the depth is so good that a starting caliber guy could be available in Rd 2 with plenty of options in Rds 4 and 5, but Center and Guard only has only a couple options worthy of the 1st two rounds with, once again, Rds 4 and 5 is where the depth is at.

• Free Agents:

  • Center: Tyler Linderbaum (UFA), Connor McGovern (UFA), Trystan Colon (UFA), Austin Schlottmann (UFA)

  • Interior OL: Zion Johnson (LG-UFA), Daniel Faalele (RG-UFA), David Edwards (LG-UFA), Michael Jordan (LG-UFA)

  • Offensive Tackle: Rasheed Walker (LT-UFA), Sean Rhyan (OT-UFA), Jonah Williams (RT-UFA-Injury Concerns)

• Draft Picks:  

  • Center: Jake Slaughter (2nd), Connor Lew (2nd), Pat Coogan (5th), Bryce Foster (6th), Carson Hinzman (UDFA), Jager Burton (UDFA)

  • Interior OL: Olaivavega Ioane (1st), Gennings Dunker (2nd), Jaeden Roberts (4th), DJ Campbell (5th), Charles Jagusah (5th), Micah Morris (UDFA), Evan Tengesdahl (UDFA)

  • Offensive Tackle: Francis Mauigoa (1st-Top 10), Spencer DFano (1st Mid), Kaden Proctor (1st-Mid), Caleb Tiernan (2nd), Max Iheanachor (2nd-3rd), JC Davis (4th), Kage Casey (4th), Aamil Wagner (5th), Fernando Carmona (7th), Riley Mahlman (7th), Alex Harkey (UDFA)

Bottom Line:

Despite throwing all kinds of picks at the OL since arriving, Brad Holmes will once again be looking for a starting IOL and potentially a starting OT in Free Agency or the draft as it is almost a certainty that Glasgow will either retire or be cut by the Lions. It’s likely that the 1st and/or second round picks could be dedicated to OL, even though Edge, LB and DB is also a concern. These are not sexy picks or signings, but for this team, they are a necessity to make this offense work at peak efficiency. The current OL has shown promise, but are pretty young at both the starters and backups when you take Glasgow and Decker out of the Mix. So, it appears a veteran starter at IOL or OT is likely in the cards depending on the Decker situation. The second wildcard is the status of Frank Ragnow. While he intended to come back last year, there has been zero news on either a surgery or rehab of that torn hamstring that would suggest he is thinking of making a comeback, so that ship has likely sailed.

In the end, I think that Holmes will likely sign a veteran Free Agent to start at either C or RG once Glasgow decision is made and depending on if they move Ratledge to Center as speculated last year. I personally believe that Decker will give it one more year, with the Lions likely to go all in on a Super Bowl this upcoming season after witnessing the shitshow that was on display last weekend. So, whether Decker stays or retires, the OT depth will also get a veteran signing, but this will be a versatile athletic player that can start in a pinch or be the gadget guy as Skipper has provided over the years. If Decker retires, his replacement would likely be a Round 1 tackle, even if that means kicking Sewell to LT and rookie starts at RT.