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The Detroit Lions lost right guard Kevin Zeitler to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, leaving a hole in what is arguably the team's most important unit.
Zeitler, 35, had a Pro Bowl-level season in 2024 that earned him a one-year, $9 million contract with the Titans. The Lions will now be looking for immediate options at right guard while bracing long-term for the futures of center Frank Ragnow and left guard Graham Glasgow, who both showed signs of wear and tear last year.
Let's take a look at some possible replacements for Zeitler as the Lions look to keep their offensive line's reputation intact:
The Lions picked Christian Mahogany in the sixth round of last year's draft in hopes he could develop into someone to take this spot.
Mahogany played in seven games last season and made one key start in Week 16 to fill in for an injured Glasgow against the Bears. His performance showed he should have every chance to compete for the starting job should the Lions not find a surefire replacement for Zeitler in free agency.
Becton likely falls outside the Lions' price range, but his age (26) and the success he found in Philadelphia last season after being moved from tackle to guard could make him worth the investment.
He ranked 21st among qualifying guards in Pro Football Focus's position rankings, excelling in run blocking. He'd get to block for another explosive runner in Jahmyr Gibbs if he ended up in Detroit.
Jenkins is 27, familiar with NFC North football, and coming off of a solid year despite the overall lack of success by the Bears' offensive line.
He's another former tackle who improved after being moved to guard, though his injury history could present some risk to committing to him long-term compared to some safer, potentially cheaper options.
If the Lions want to stick with the hired gun approach to replace Zeitler, Brandon Scherff is a former All-Pro who had several good seasons in Washington and has been a solid starter for the Jaguars for the last three seasons.
However, at age 33, Scherff isn't a long-term solution at the position and would likely leave the Lions right back where they started next season.
Booker is a long shot to fall to the Lions in this year's draft at pick No. 28, but if he's available, he'd be the second-best option of this year's guard prospects behind only Will Campbell. Booker is over 6'4, 321 pounds, coming off of two years as a starter at Alabama.
What he lacks in explosiveness, he more than makes up for in size and strength, which fits the Lions' gritty, downhill mentality.
Another option in the draft that is more likely to fall to where the Lions can get him is North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.
Zabel is a versatile offensive line option, seeing playing time at four of five positions in college. At 6'6', 312 pounds, his great combine performance and overall attributes projected him as an eventual above-average starter.
There is concern that perhaps he'd be a better tackle than guard, but that wouldn't be a bad problem to have that option if you're the Lions.
Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson is expected to be available in the early second round of the draft, putting him in a position where the Lions could move up or down to get him.
Jackson was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, landing All-Big Ten honors all three seasons, including last year, when he shifted over to left tackle for the national champions. His versatility and elite athleticism could prove valuable in the Lions' creative running game.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions options to replace Kevin Zeitler
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Zeitler, 35, had a Pro Bowl-level season in 2024 that earned him a one-year, $9 million contract with the Titans. The Lions will now be looking for immediate options at right guard while bracing long-term for the futures of center Frank Ragnow and left guard Graham Glasgow, who both showed signs of wear and tear last year.
Let's take a look at some possible replacements for Zeitler as the Lions look to keep their offensive line's reputation intact:
Christian Mahogany
The Lions picked Christian Mahogany in the sixth round of last year's draft in hopes he could develop into someone to take this spot.
Mahogany played in seven games last season and made one key start in Week 16 to fill in for an injured Glasgow against the Bears. His performance showed he should have every chance to compete for the starting job should the Lions not find a surefire replacement for Zeitler in free agency.
Mekhi Becton
Becton likely falls outside the Lions' price range, but his age (26) and the success he found in Philadelphia last season after being moved from tackle to guard could make him worth the investment.
He ranked 21st among qualifying guards in Pro Football Focus's position rankings, excelling in run blocking. He'd get to block for another explosive runner in Jahmyr Gibbs if he ended up in Detroit.
Teven Jenkins
Jenkins is 27, familiar with NFC North football, and coming off of a solid year despite the overall lack of success by the Bears' offensive line.
He's another former tackle who improved after being moved to guard, though his injury history could present some risk to committing to him long-term compared to some safer, potentially cheaper options.
Brandon Scherff
If the Lions want to stick with the hired gun approach to replace Zeitler, Brandon Scherff is a former All-Pro who had several good seasons in Washington and has been a solid starter for the Jaguars for the last three seasons.
However, at age 33, Scherff isn't a long-term solution at the position and would likely leave the Lions right back where they started next season.
Tyler Booker
Booker is a long shot to fall to the Lions in this year's draft at pick No. 28, but if he's available, he'd be the second-best option of this year's guard prospects behind only Will Campbell. Booker is over 6'4, 321 pounds, coming off of two years as a starter at Alabama.
What he lacks in explosiveness, he more than makes up for in size and strength, which fits the Lions' gritty, downhill mentality.
Grey Zabel
Another option in the draft that is more likely to fall to where the Lions can get him is North Dakota State's Grey Zabel.
Zabel is a versatile offensive line option, seeing playing time at four of five positions in college. At 6'6', 312 pounds, his great combine performance and overall attributes projected him as an eventual above-average starter.
There is concern that perhaps he'd be a better tackle than guard, but that wouldn't be a bad problem to have that option if you're the Lions.
Donovan Jackson
Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson is expected to be available in the early second round of the draft, putting him in a position where the Lions could move up or down to get him.
Jackson was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, landing All-Big Ten honors all three seasons, including last year, when he shifted over to left tackle for the national champions. His versatility and elite athleticism could prove valuable in the Lions' creative running game.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions options to replace Kevin Zeitler
Continue reading...
