The Detroit Lions’ elite center, Frank Ragnow, shocked the NFL world, announcing his retirement on Monday after seven impressive years. Ragnow had a great NFL career, instantly taking over as the starter in 2018 as a rookie, starting 100 regular-season and postseason games, along with four Pro Bowls and three Second-Team All-Pro selections. Unfortunately, his nagging injuries were too much for him to overcome, as explained in his retirement announcement on Instagram.
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The Lions must quickly find his replacement.
The Detroit Lions selected an SEC star on Day 2
The Detroit Lions selected Tate Ratledge 57th overall in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Ratledge had a great five-year college career with the Georgia Bulldogs, initially committing as a four-star offensive tackle for the 2020 season, with 37 starts at right guard. His accolades include winning two National Championships, a Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC in 2023, and a Third-Team All-American and a First-Team All-SEC in 2024.
Tate Ratledge missed four consecutive games earlier in the year with a left MCL sprain and a high-ankle sprain, which required tightrope surgery. When he returned, he returned to his normal self as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the nation. Ratledge gave up seven pressures, four quarterback hits, two hurries, and one sack allowed in ten games per PFF.
Their Rookie in line to replace 4x Pro Bowler?
Tate Ratledge could be in line to replace Frank Ragnow as the starting center. Although he exclusively played right guard during college, he began cross-training as the backup center during summer practices in 2024. So far, Ratledge has seen playing time there during rookie minicamp and also received first-team reps after Ragnow missed OTAs last week.
Their veteran is also an option
Graham Glasgow could also be in contention for the starting center job. He has plenty of experience in that spot, with over 20 starts and 2,000 snaps throughout his nine-year NFL career. If Glasgow does start at center, this would allow Tate Ratledge to start at right guard, his natural position.
