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The Detroit Lions’ offensive line is seen as one of, if not the best collective units in the entire NFL.

With center Frank Ragnow serving as the anchor and plenty of talent along the starting five, Detroit has been able to excel on the ground thanks to the maulers who pave the run lanes. Another key component is All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell, who inked a four-year extension this offseason.

The Lions also added a piece to the fold in the form of veteran Kevin Zeitler, who comes to Detroit for his 13th NFL season. One of the league’s most durable linemen over the course of his career, Zeitler brings veteran experience and knowledge having played across a number of schemes.

Here’s a preview of what the Lions have to offer on the offensive line with training camp fast approaching.

Reason for hope

The Lions’ offensive line, when fully healthy, is as good as any other in the league. Sewell emerged as one of the top right tackles in the game, while Taylor Decker has been steady on the left side. With two strong bookend tackles, Detroit has been able to keep Jared Goff healthy for the duration of the last two years.

The interior is just as strong. Ragnow may be the best center in the league with Jason Kelce’s retirement, while the guard tandem of Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler giving the team two reliable pieces.

Glasgow was a pleasant surprise last year and earned a three-year extension to remain with the team, while Zeitler fills the void left by Jonah Jackson’s departure. If the group can remain healthy, Detroit’s offense will once again reap the benefits.

Reason for worry

Health will always be a concern with the nature of offensive line play. Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow both missed time last year, but the unit was as healthy as its been over Dan Campbell’s tenure as head coach.

The Lions will have to have reliable depth ready to go in the case of an injury. Colby Sorsdal was up-and-down in his rookie year last year, as he was eventually beat out as the top backup by Kayode Awosika.

Those two, along with Dan Skipper and rookies Giovanni Manu and Christian Mahogany, will have opportunities to showcase their ability as backup options. Finding reliable options who can step in in a pinch is paramount for the Lions to remain playing at a high level.

Training camp battle

With the starting five positions seemingly set ahead of camp, extra attention will be paid to the backup battles. Sorsdal and Awosika seem likely to compete at guard along with Mahogany. Still, Sorsdal spent some time at tackle in minicamp and OTAs and appears to be a player the Lions want to utilize in either area.

If Sorsdal can develop into a utility lineman, he would give the team immense value as a first option off the bench. Awosika was the option to start the NFC Championship game after Jackson suffered an injury and won’t go away quietly.

Player to watch

Manu will be a player worth keeping tabs on when training camp opens. The consensus opinion is that he can grow into a high-level player with development based on his athletic profile. Still, he will need plenty of time to adjust after playing collegiately in Canada.

With the Lions often electing to rest their starters for preseason games, Manu should get some extended playing time in Detroit’s three matchups. How he holds up will be fascinating to monitor, as the Lions could wind up landing a massive steal if he eventually reaches his potential.

ESPN is continuing their lists of the top-10 players at each position, as voted on by NFL executives coaches, and scouts. On Monday, they dropped the quarterback list, and it features Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff cracking the top-10 list for the first time since its inception in 2020. He placed ninth on the list this year, ahead of some notable quarterbacks like Dak Prescott (10th), Brock Purdy (not ranked), Jordan Love (NR), Jalen Hurts (NR), Trevor Lawrence (NR), and Kirk Cousins (NR).

Not only had Goff never made the list before, but he was only an honorable mention a single time in the previous four years—last year. Here’s what ESPN author Jeremy Fowler wrote in 2023:

“Goff rarely got a single vote over the past three seasons, but this year he appeared on nearly 25% of the ballots after leading Detroit to nine wins, thanks in part to a 29-7 touchdown-interception ratio.”

After helping the Lions to get to the NFC Championship last year, the narrative on Goff has completely shifted. But even more telling than Goff’s ninth overall ranking is the specific praise he got from NFL insiders. This isn’t just about him now being “a winner,” or game-managing an offense led by coordinator Ben Johnson. Goff is getting real, tangible praise for specific traits that often go underappreciated.

“He’s the best in the NFL at throwing into zone coverage windows,” an anonymous NFL coordinator told ESPN. “I’ve shown young quarterbacks tape of him and how he throws with anticipation.”

“He used to seem nervous in the pocket, but now he’s cool in there,” an NFC executive said. “I don’t think he has that pressure on him like he did in L.A. Detroit has embraced him and he’s responded.”

Last year, Goff finished second in passing yards (4,575), fourth in passing touchdowns (30), ninth in passer rating (97.9), and 11th in QBR. If you back up the stats to when Detroit started to turn things around—circa Thanksgiving in 2021—Goff’s statistical output has been as good as anybody’s.

It’s good to see that public perception is finally catching up with reality, and people who know ball see both how good Goff is and how much he has improved since landing with the Lions in 2021.