2026 NFL Draft Thread

[1984Echoes]

41 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I quit reading all of that at around the fourth paragraph, but they did address the line. They have two new guards. There’s going to be growing pains. 

Three new guards counting Mahogany, Ratledge and Frazier.

Three that look like they could be really good. 

Three that the Lions like so much, they believe Ratledge can slide over to Center and become a new Ragnow, even if he wasn't ready for that this year.

Also... I don't want to count out Manu yet. Raw as hell, a monster sized dude... Maybe everything will click next year for him.

But to Tater's points... I think I would want to quality vets, one Guard and one tackle, that are actually good enough to be starters. Zeitler just as an example although there are other guys that could fit.

Ratledge in 2026 could start at Center, Glasgow only as a backup. Zeitler (or similar) is the starter and one of Mahogany/ Frazier is the other starter but... it's possible the loser in that battle could take over the starting spot from Zeitler (or similar) but would have to earn it. And would be the top backup until then... If the vet loses out, then he is the top backup.

Same at Tackle.

I don't believe like Tater that we have a terrible future O-Line... I just believe 2025 was a bad year and a transition year. But I would like to see capable vets as starters or depth...

I believe I am more aligned with MB here... just guessing.

[1984Echoes]

43 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

So you're fine going into the next season with an offensive line of Decker, Mahogany, Glasgow, Fraizer, and Sewell? Were you asleep this season by chance?

No...

I would prefer Manu, Mahogany, Ratledge, Frazier & Sewell...

With Glasgow and Decker as backups.

But who knows how 2026 will turn out?

NO ONE knows. It's only guesswork at this point.

[1984Echoes]

27 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

The Lions 1st will be in the teens. I would consider trading down. For a team against the cap, you need more cheap depth. 

I wouldn't trade down in the 1st...

I want the best DE available. Capable of both stopping the run AND rushing the passer.

Now in the 2nd round... sure, I'm on board with that.

But not our 1st rounder... IMO.

[1984Echoes]

24 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

... if Frank wants to play again or it that was just a one time thing.  If he is back it changes everything for next year.  Obviously, Frank improves the entire line but Ratledge can stay at guard and it’s one less body that needs to be filled.  

IMO...

I would have no problem with Frank coming back next year...

But ONLY as a backup to Ratledge.

I would love him on the team all year, in Tate's ear, coaching him on how to be a top Center in the NFL. He might even get a bit of playing time... But I would prefer that Ratledge is good enough at Center that Ragnow is only a backup (a magnificent one!). Besides, with minimal playing time... Frank might get through the year feeling a whole lot healthier and may even want to play the next several years with the Lions... in this capacity.

Could anyone see Ragnow as becoming the assistant O-line coach... soon?

I can.

Just my 2 cents.

[1984Echoes]

3 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

IMO...

I would have no problem with Frank coming back next year...

But ONLY as a backup to Ratledge.

I would love...

PS: If Frank came back to be Ratledge's backup/coach at Center...

I would be MUCH MORE comfortable with Glasgow back... as backup to Mahogany/Frazier at guard (or starting there, if it were necessary)... and as SECOND backup at Center behind Tate and Ragnow.

Just my 2 cents...

 

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by 1984Echoes

[1984Echoes]

12 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

I wouldn't trade down in the 1st...

I want the best DE available. Capable of both stopping the run AND rushing the passer.

No...

Early want:

Keldrick Faulk, 6'6" 285 # defensive end.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

45 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Not sure why you left out Ratledge, but yes I would be fine with Ratledge at center and Frazier at RG. Decker is becoming a liability and the Lions can save cap by cutting him. I would consider moving Sewell to LT if you found a good RT. 

Yeah that's my bad. Ratledge is for sure an option at Center. But then that opens up a need at Guard. They are obviously high on Fraizer and probably higher than I am. He's a 5th round pick who might have been a higher round selection if he did not have injury concerns. I still think they need to address Center if it is not going to be Tate and I would feel more comfortable with Fraizer as a depth piece and them going out and adding someone else at Guard as a starter.

[Hongbit]

Frank isn’t a backup.  He’s still one of the best  center’s in the league.  Let Ratledge continue at Guard and get valuable experience in the trenches.  

[Stanley70]

The definitely have more holes to patch up this off season than the last few, with fewer resources to address them. 

I think with some o-line tweeks and an offensive coordinator they can have one of the best offenses again. Hopefully Ragnow can go another year.

It's the defense that needs help, potientially a lot if Branch and Kirby have career altering injuries. They have to address the pass rush, especially at DT. IMO they have to rethink the entire defense, and what kind of players they need to make it work. You can't have a week pass rush and a bunch of average corners and expect to shut teams down.

 

[1984Echoes]

5 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

Frank isn’t a backup.  He’s still one of the best  center’s in the league.  Let Ratledge continue at Guard and get valuable experience in the trenches.  

Frank can't even get on the field or the roster he's been so banged up.

BEST plan for him: Backup.

And coach up Tate.

[Motown Bombers]

I mean, they have the highest scoring offense now. They just need more consistency and a good coordinator will go a long way. 

[Motown Bombers]

Ragnow as a backup is pretty wild. If you want him to coach then hire him as a coach. 

[Sports_Freak]

8 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

The definitely have more holes to patch up this off season than the last few, with fewer resources to address them. 

I think with some o-line tweeks and an offensive coordinator they can have one of the best offenses again. Hopefully Ragnow can go another year.

It's the defense that needs help, potientially a lot if Branch and Kirby have career altering injuries. They have to address the pass rush, especially at DT. IMO they have to rethink the entire defense, and what kind of players they need to make it work. You can't have a week pass rush and a bunch of average corners and expect to shut teams down.

 

This. Exactly right, IMO. Our offense, right now, is a near the top in the league in points per game and total points. Its our defense that needs to stop the opponents from scoring at will. 

[1984Echoes]

The issue I would raise is:

Does Dan Campbell's style of play (balls out... hit and hit hard) create an atmosphere of just... more... injuries?

Because I don't want the style to stop. If we're hunting a Super Bowl... then we can't play half-assed. 

I think that just means we can expect some injurious years, some worse than others... and at least a few guys that get more than just nicked up and will have... shorter shelf lives.

That's a hard message to put out.

To the team, players, everyone.

It tells me though, that...

Brad needs as many draft picks as he can handle.

Less crazy chances at players that are moon shots, and cost 3 draft picks to acquire. And more shots with players they feel comfortable at providing high end depth... or better if they develop.

.

.

.

Just a thought...

[1984Echoes]

4 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Ragnow as a backup is pretty wild. If you want him to coach then hire him as a coach. 

Maybe...

But I'm willing to take some wild swings at making things work...

Even non-conventional ideas...

But that's just me...

[Hongbit]

Current Roster FA:

Reader - won’t be back

Anzalone -  only back there’s no market

Kalif -  won’t be back.  Someone will sign him

Amik -  won’t be back

Lopez - who knows

Davenport - won’t be back 

Awosika - maybe

Maddox - may try to resign for depth

Muhammad - someone eise will pay him

Rodrigo - maybe

Ya-Sin - played well enough to have a market

Levi & Paschal - Gone

[ewsieg]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

Frank can't even get on the field or the roster he's been so banged up.

BEST plan for him: Backup.

And coach up Tate.

Frank had a grade 3 hamstring strain and was like 'Yeah, I can play, put me on the roster and I think I can be game ready in 2-3 weeks'.  

I have no idea if he's thinking of getting ready to come back or not, but I'm positive he's not going to come back just to backup anyone.

Edited 18 hours ago by ewsieg

[MichiganCardinal]

The offseason talk has to begin with Decker. He's been hurt all year. How hurt? If he gets surgery in January or February, will he be in 2024 form by July or August? Or is this as much age degeneration as it is injury? Does he even want to return?

If he's not back, you have no choice but to make that Priority #1. I don't know the cap implications of cutting him but Braden Smith (IND) will be a free agent. So will Jonah Williams (ARI). They're both in their late 20s though and will probably want a three-year deal, with the knowledge they'll probably regress soon. They're also both RTs, which means you're moving either them or Sewell out of position, something they haven't wanted to do. Otherwise, you're calling on a rookie to protect Goff's blindside. I'm not a fan of that.

Priority #2 is begging Ragnow to come back. Obviously as a starter. Asking him to be a backup would be downright insulting. If the line next fall is Decker-Mahogany-Ragnow-Ratledge-Sewell, I think we are in significantly better shape that we were this year. If Ragnow will come back for one more year, tutor Ratledge at the center position, and allow Frazier to be a reserve IOL for a year, we are going to be in good shape.

Priority #3 is a complete autopsy on the defense. For as rough as the offensive line looked, it's a real possibility the Lions will finish the season leading the league in points per game on offense without making the playoffs. How? Why? You don't need to fire Sheppard, but he needs to have a plan or his seat will be hot. The secondary was depleted, getting torched by better QBs was to be expected to some degree. But why did the run defense go from being a strength to being a liability?

Will Kerby be back? Can you rely on him? When will Branch be back? Can you rely on him? Davenport better not be back. How do you finally address the Edge across from Hutch? Levi will probably be back. Can you rely on him? What can you expect out of Rakestraw? What can you expect out of Tyleik Williams? Why did Alim lose an edge this season? The list goes on.

All told, I think my ideal offseason includes:

1. Decker returns
2. Ragnow returns
3. Re-sign Amik
4. Sign Jalen Thompson (DB, ARI)
5. Sign David Onyemata (DT, ATL)
6. 1st round edge rusher
7. 2nd round offensive tackle of the future
8. Late round defensive depth

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, ewsieg said:

Frank had a grade 3 hamstring strain and was like 'Yeah, I can play, put me on the roster and I think I can be game ready in 2-3 weeks'.  

I have no idea if he's thinking of getting ready to come back or not, but I'm positive he's not going to come back just to backup anyone.

Yeah, I'm probably just whistlin' dixie on that...

I am obviously locking into the future... 

And I do not mind Frank being a part of that...

even if he is a starter in 2026.

How about a time-share between Frank & Tate?

[ewsieg]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

How about a time-share between Frank & Tate?

If he would be willing to come back for that, I'd take it in a heartbeat.  I suspect he stays retired at this point though.

[Nate7474]

7 minutes ago, ewsieg said:

If he would be willing to come back for that, I'd take it in a heartbeat.  I suspect he stays retired at this point though.

If Ragnow comes back he will be the starter and Tate will stay at RG.  No better place to learn then right next to him.  That would allow you to have Mahogany and Frazier battle it out for LG and work at the other spot to take over in 27. OT is pretty good in this draft and I would not have a problem with them taking Decker's replacement this year.  I could also see LB and DE in the first as there are some fantastic LB options in this draft and they tend to drop.

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Nate7474]

7 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

Sounds about right to me. They are a very good team with elite players. Just hurt all around at key positions and are below average at oline.