Despite having a 7-4 record, this season has been a challenging one for the Detroit Lions. Injuries continue to plague the team and have significantly contributed to their struggles. Their offensive line, in particular, has endured numerous injuries, with four offensive linemen on injured reserve and multiple starters dealing with injury.
Nevertheless, the Lions' offensive line remains one of the best units in the league, allowing just 23 sacks, which ranks tied for 11th. However, their current starting left guard, Kayode Awosika, has struggled mightily. In Sunday’s overtime win against the New York Giants, Awosika was the line’s weakest link, allowing two sacks and one quarterback hit.
Awosika has been filling in for injured Christian Mahogany, and through three games, he’s failed to show any promise in pass protection, receiving a 46.9 pass block grade from Pro Football Focus. As a result, Lions’ fans have been pleading for the team to activate rookie offensive lineman Miles Frazier to the active roster.
Campbell Lacks Options Beyond Frazier
Miles Frazier has been sidelined with a knee injury he sustained in the rookie minicamp. Although the team expected him to return sooner, they’ve been patient with their fifth-round selection. However, head coach Dan Campbell must decide if he wants to activate Frazier or not, as his evaluation clock expires this week.
While Campbell remains undecided, the best decision would be to activate him. With Mahogany’s return unknown and Awosika’s underwhelming performance, the team doesn’t have many options left. While Trystan Colon could be a potential name to replace Awosika, he’s also been abysmal in pass protection.
Beyond that, the only remaining options are two names on the Lions' practice squad: Netane Muti and undrafted free agent Mason Miller. There has been nothing to indicate that Miller is NFL-ready, and Muti has 4 NFL starts to his name, last making one back in 2021.
Frazier's Upside is What the Lions Need
In three seasons with the LSU Tigers, Frazier displayed his potential to be an elite pass protector, allowing just four sacks and 24 hurries across 1,564 pass-blocking snaps. Although Frazier allowed 12 hurries in his last season, he allowed zero sacks, receiving an 88 pass block grade.
Frazier also exhibited his phenomenal versatility, playing everywhere on the line except center. In his five-year college career, Frazier was initially a left tackle in his first two seasons with the FIU Panthers, before moving to guard when he transferred to LSU.
By activating Frazier, he’ll provide the Lions with depth on the offensive line and give them a potential plug-in piece if any more injuries are to occur. Although the Lions didn’t select Frazier with the intention of playing him right away, they’re left with no other choice.
Throwing him in the fire and starting him at left guard would be a smart move by the Lions, as it’ll show if he’s capable of giving them meaningful production. This will be good for Frazier, as it’ll give him the experience he needs to grow and develop as a player.