The Detroit Lions bolstered their offensive line during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, as general manager Brad Holmes traded up and selected Georgia guard Tate Ratledge with the No.57 overall pick.
The Lions moved up three spots with the Denver Broncos to grab Ratledge, sending the No.60 and No.130 overall picks to the Denver Broncos for pick 57 and pick 230.
Ratledge could be a starter on Detroit's offensive line in 2025, as the team lost starting right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans in free agency and needed some competition for Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany.
There's a chance Ratledge could be a Day 1 starter for the Lions, and if he plays well, his contract will be a bargain. According to Spotrac, Ratledge's rookie deal is projected to be worth $7.6 million over four seasons with a signing bonus of $2.2 million.
Ratledge was a multi-year starter for Georgia and excelled in pass protection, allowing just two sacks in his four collegiate seasons. The soon-to-be 24-year-old is a tough and experienced player who fits Dan Campbell's culture and has the chance to be a building block on Detroit's offensive line.
We'll see who else the Lions add to the roster in the draft, but it's clear they are focused on addressing the trenches on both sides of the ball, as they took Ratledge and Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in Round 1 on Thursday night.
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