For the complete offensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: OFFENSIVE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact.
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The following is the review of the interior offensive line positions.
The combined need score is the sum of the positional need (0-5) plus the level of medical concern (0-5). The higher the score, the greater the need. I’m reserving the focus here for the starters and key reserves, giving more weight to the health of the starters.
(In parentheses are the player’s age at the start of the 2026 season, year signed, and level of medical concern.) * Projected headlines.
Interior offensive line
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*Cade Mays (27, 2028, 10/1) – The Lions’ new starting center has a minor medical issue.
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*Tate Ratledge (25, 2028, 3/10) – Did not miss a game in his rookie season, but showed signs of a possible neck issue.
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*Christian Mahogany (25, 2027, 1/10): He suffered a fractured fibula last season and has a history of tearing his right ACL, but overall has little concern.
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Miles Frazier (25, 2028, 4/10) – Missed several months with an unspecified knee injury last season, but looked healthy in limited action over the last five games.
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Juice Scruggs (26, 2026, 5/10): History of a foot and L3 vertebra fracture, but was healthy in 2025.
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Seth McLaughlin (25, 2026, 10/6) – No game action since tore his Achilles tendon in November 2024.
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Ben Bartch (28, 2026, 10/9): Lisfranc finished last season for him.
Positional need 2/5
The free agent crown jewel signing Mays at center alleviates a lot of the concerns… as long as he doesn’t show up to camp with a Grade 3 hamstring. Ratledge looks like he should be solid at RG. Mahogany is the projected starting LG, but it’s not sure how the Lions feel about him as a long-term starter. Drafting a starting-caliber OG within the first three rounds is a decent possibility.
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Medical concern 2/5
All of the backups have moderate to severe concerns, but the projected starters look quite healthy for 2026.
OVERALL 4/10
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Needs Analysis: Interior Offensive Line