Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement from the NFL can't be spun in a positive light, it hurts the Lions.
Even in his final season in the NFL, Ragnow was dominant for Detroit. He posted the third-best overall grade and the third-best run blocking grade among NFL centers, according to PFF. Even if you ignore his statistical dominance, Ragnow was a locker room presence that will be missed for the Lions.
Luckily, the Lions have options for their new offensive line alignment next season. Between Tate Ratledge, Graham Glasgow, and Christian Mahogany, the Lions have three guards whom they can shuffle to find the best combination.
Option 1: Mahogany LG, Glasgow C, Ratledge RG
Considering what's at stake for the Lions in 2025, I find this to be the most likely option for Dan Campbell and his staff. Considering Glasgow is the only one here to have ever played center at a high level, it seems likely he will move over to snapping to Jared Goff.
Glasgow played center at times during his original stint in Detroit, before Ragnow took over. He also played center, when healthy, during his time in Denver, as well as being the backup center for the past few years in Detroit.
Although Mahogany played most of his college career at right guard, he did start all 11 games at left guard in 2020 for Boston College. On the other hand, Ratledge started 37 games at right guard.) for Georgia, and it makes sense for him to play in his natural position during his rookie season.
This, in my opinion, is the most likely of the two options for Detroit.
Option 2: Glasgow LG, Ratledge C, Mahogany RG
This option wouldn't exist if it weren't for Ratledge taking first-team reps at center during OTAs. Sources say that the young Georgia guard has adjusted well to playing center, making him an option in the middle for this newly shuffled Lions offensive line.
Ratledge moving to center also allows both Glasgow and Mahogany to play their natural positions. Although Mahogany started 11 games at left guard in 2020 for Boston College, he spent most of his career at right guard, where he earned all of his accolades.
Glasgow has been the Lions' starting left guard for the past two seasons, so this option allows him to continue where he has been. The only issue with this is Glasgow hasn't been great at left guard for Detroit, posting a 57.9 PFF grade, ranking 85th/136 guards in the NFL.
This option only makes sense if Ratledge is playing extremely well at center, or Glasgow is more beneficial to the Lions at left guard than at center. If Glasgow is just as good or better at center as he is at guard, it makes more sense to have him play center and the young Lions guards continue to play guard.