The Detroit Lions are in the middle of the mandatory minicamp, which means we are getting a better idea about where some of the position battles stand. The revamped offensive line is one of the position groups Lions fans are most curious about. It sounds like there is going to be some competition in training camp for a starting job and roster spots.
Head coach Dan Campbell called left guard "an open competition," per Jeremy Reisman of The Pride of Detroit. He mentioned that they brought in veteran Ben Bartch for this reason and said Christian Mahogany, Bartch, Miles Frazier, and "even" Giovanni Manu as possible contenders to start.
There may be even more changes on the Lions' offensive line
This is a surprising development for multiple reasons, and it doesn't bode well for Mahogany. Heading into his third season in the league, Mahogany was considered the obvious starter at LG after spending all of last season in that role. And until he suffered a broken bone in Week 9 against the Vikings, he was solid as the starter.
Once he returned from injury in Week 16, the wheels had already come off for the Lions, and Mahogany struggled like the rest of the team. It's not like other offensive linemen who played in his place; Kayode Awosika, Trystan Colon, and Miles Frazier were much better than him. In fact, if Pro Football Focus grades are to be believed, they show that Mahogany was the best left guard on the team last season.
Instead of betting on some continuity on the offensive line, Campbell clearly wants to keep his options open. Who he is considering, however, is as surprising as the decision to open up the competition.
The idea that Manu is even an option at this point is ludicrous. Frazier struggled immensely in his limited snaps down the stretch. Juice Scruggs has played more left guard snaps in his career than any of the names mentioned here, including Bartch. The fact that Campbell didn't mention him as an option is certainly interesting. He may be thinking of Scruggs strictly as the backup center at this point.
If Mahogany isn't the starter at LG, Tate Ratledge would be the only starter to keep his position on the offensive line from a season ago. Penei Sewell has moved to left tackle to make room for rookie Blake Miller at RT. Free agent signing Cade Mays has taken over at center.
This could mean growing pains for the Lions, increasing the importance of training camp and preseason. For Mahogany, it will be an equally important offseason as he now has to make sure he doesn't lose his starting job.
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