Veteran center Frank Ragnow stunned the NFL world when he abruptly announced his retirement. A long-time mainstay of the Detroit Lions, he's dealt with a myriad of injuries throughout his career, but nobody would have imagined that he would call it quits during Phase III of the offseason. If the Lions want an immediate replacement for the four-time Pro Bowl nod, or at least depth at the position, they should give the Jacksonville Jaguars a call.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Ragnow is hanging up the cleats after seven seasons, citing recurring injuries as the reason why. Other outlets confirmed the news not long after.
A first-round pick in 2018, Ragnow spent his whole career in Motor City. Although he's coming off a Pro Bowl campaign, it's easy to understand why he chose to retire. One look at his injury history would make a nurse faint, as the former Arkansas Razorback has dealt with ailments ranging from a "fractured throat" in 2020 to a dreaded turf toe the following year. Just last season, he tore his pec in Week 3 but only missed a bout. That goes on to show just how tough he was.
The obvious move for Detroit would be to move guard Graham Glasgow to center. This makes sense when you take into account that he's previously played the position. On the other hand, the Lions could give rookie Tate Ratledge or Christian Mahogany a chance to show what they can do. But if they aren't pleased with their current options or are interested in acquiring outside help, the Jaguars have the ideal trade candidate.
Luke Fortner would give the Lions depth amid the Frank Ragnow retirement news
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Luke Fortner in 2022, thinking he could be a long-term replacement for the recently retired Brandon Linder. But after three seasons, it doesn't look like he's part of their long-term plans.
Although Fortner flashed as a rookie, he also showed that he had a long way to go. Expected to make a leap in Year 2, he instead regressed and struggled so badly that the team's brass brought in Mitch Morse to start at guard in 2024.
Like Frank Ragnow, Morse also retired. To replace him, the Jaguars signed Robert Hainsey in free agency, and later used a seventh-round pick on Jonah Monheim. This could potentially make Fortner expendable, especially when you take into account that he's entering a contract year.
Fortner has mostly lined up at center and made 32 consecutive starts in his first two NFL seasons. That kind of experience could make him an intriguing trade candidate for teams in need of help (or at least depth) on the interior offensive line, such as the Detroit Lions.
And that's the thing, trading for Fortner would allow the Lions to keep Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge at guard. Couple that with the fact that he could be had for probably a seventh-round pick, it wouldn't hurt Detroit to kick the tires on him.
Now, there are no official reports about Luke Fortner being shopped, but the new regime has shown that it's not afraid to move on from players who no longer fit its vision. That makes Fortner a potential trade candidate.
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