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What is the ceiling for the Lions’ OL when Cade Mays returns to the field?
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- What is the ceiling for the Lions’ OL when Cade Mays returns to the field?
When the Detroit Lions hired Dan Campbell as their head coach and Brad Holmes as the general manager back in 2021, one thing was very clear from the beginning—they wanted to establish an identity with their offensive line. They immediately backed up those words when they made All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Football is both complicated and simple. If you want to win, you have to be able to control the line of scrimmage.
After a down year in 2025 where the offensive line was one of the factors that led to a disappointing 9-8 finish, it was time for a change of the guard. Left tackle Taylor Decker was released by the team along with interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow. On top of those moves, All-Pro center Frank Ragnow had tried and failed to make a comeback out of retirement. It was time for the organization to lean into the youth, and that is exactly what they did.
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Now, after spending the first few years as the young guy in the room, Sewell is the most tenured player along the offensive line as well as one of the oldest at nearly 26 years of age. To his right is third-year left guard Christian Mahogany, center Juice Scruggs, second-year right guard Tate Ratledge, and rookie right tackle Blake Miller. And while Scruggs has played well, newly-signed center Cade Mays recovers from a broken wrist suffered in training camp, it's hard not to wonder what this unit may look like around Week 10 of the 2026 season.
That brings us to today's question of the day. What is the ceiling for the Lions' offensive line once Mays returns to action?
My answer:I think this unit could quickly become a top-five unit in all of football with time on task. Sewell will only get better as he settles back in on the left side; Mahogany has had good moments and bad, but I like the power aspect he brings to the table next to Sewell. On top of that, Scruggs may get the chance to push for that job once Mays returns to center. Ratledge is playing like one of the better guards in the league, and Miller has been steadily improving save for a few mental mistakes here and there.
As the season marches on, it's important to remember that this is a bit of a transitional year for the offensive line. With that said, it's also an exciting time. If they can continue to grow in their roles and begin to gel as a unit, the Lions' offense could really begin to hit their stride.
What about you? What do you think the ceiling is for the offensive line in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
