The Detroit Lions made their first big roster move of the offseason on Monday morning, trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. The trade puts a big hole into the Lions' backfield for 2026, but has additional ramifications due to the acquisition of Juice Scruggs.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Texans sent Scruggs in Monday’s deal, which also included a 2026 fourth-round and 2027 seventh-round pick. A player with 20 games of starting experience in his three seasons in the league, Scruggs should help the Lions establish depth along the offensive line.
But that could also spell bad news for the players currently on the roster, especially when it comes to second-year guard Miles Frazier, who could be a hidden loser in Monday’s trade.
Miles Frazier’s Sophomore Surge Stunted By Juice Scruggs’s Arrival
A fifth-round pick in last April’s draft, things were looking up for Frazier after a lost rookie season. He suffered a knee injury during rookie minicamp, preventing his season debut from occurring until November, logging a 26.4 overall grade on 46 total snaps and allowing five pressures on 26 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite his struggles, there was a path to more playing time in 2026. The Lions keep hinting that Tate Ratledge could move to center, and that would give Frazier a chance to start at right guard. Frazier also could have had less competition when free agency begins next week, as fellow reserve guard Kayode Awosika is set to hit the market and may not come back after a rough performance in 2025.
Alas, Frazier’s redemption tour hits a snag as Scruggs arrives in Detroit. The 26-year-old hasn’t been a successful starter in his three years with the Texans and posted a 45.0 overall grade and allowed 11 pressures on 202 pass-blocking snaps last season, per PFF. He has also struggled to stay healthy since he was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, but he has experience on both sides of the offensive line, perhaps making him the primary backup at either position.
The Lions could make things more complicated by bringing back Awosika, adding another guard in free agency, or selecting one in April’s draft. If any of those things happen, it could push Frazier further down the depth chart and hinder his chances of having a meaningful role next season.
For a player who was regarded as a steal when he fell to the fifth round, it’s a disappointing outcome, and it makes him a player affected by Monday’s trade.