Lions’ Shocking Draft Decision Turns into Gold After Star Center’s Sudden Exit

In a twist no one saw coming, Detroit Lions fans woke up to the news of longtime center Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement—only to realize that the team’s bold draft gamble might have been a masterstroke. When the Lions selected an interior offensive lineman early in the 2025 NFL Draft, eyebrows were raised across the league. But now, in the wake of Ragnow’s unexpected departure, that move looks like genius.

Frank Ragnow, a cornerstone of Detroit’s offensive line since being drafted in the first round of 2018, announced his retirement citing lingering physical issues and a desire to preserve his long-term health. While his decision shocked the front office and fans alike, insiders say Ragnow had been quietly considering the move for several months.

The Lions, however, didn’t skip a beat. Just weeks before Ragnow’s announcement, the team spent a second-round pick on standout college center Mason Graham—a decision that drew mixed reactions. With Ragnow still on the roster and seemingly healthy, many critics saw the selection as a luxury pick rather than a necessity.

Now, in hindsight, it’s clear the Lions’ front office had deeper insights into Ragnow’s future than the public realized. Their forward-thinking draft strategy ensured continuity at a critical position and prevented a potentially devastating hole in the offensive line.

Head coach Dan Campbell, known for his no-nonsense leadership and player-first mentality, expressed nothing but respect for Ragnow’s decision. “Frank gave us everything he had,” Campbell said. “He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever coached. But we also prepared for this. Mason’s ready to step in and compete.”

Mason Graham, a former All-American from Ohio State, now finds himself thrust into the spotlight. The rookie has drawn rave reviews in rookie minicamp for his football IQ, power at the point of attack, and ability to quickly grasp Detroit’s complex blocking schemes.

Graham, speaking to reporters after his first full practice with the team, said he’s honored to carry the torch. “Frank Ragnow was a beast—I grew up watching him,” he said. “It’s surreal stepping into his shoes, but I’m here to earn everything and protect our quarterback like he did.”

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has already begun adjusting the playbook to take advantage of Graham’s athleticism and mobility. Insiders say the Lions may even incorporate more pulling center plays to leverage Graham’s strengths in space.

With Ragnow’s retirement and Graham’s emergence, the Lions’ offensive line remains one of the team’s greatest strengths—something crucial for a team with deep playoff ambitions in the upcoming season.

Detroit’s general manager, Brad Holmes, deserves particular praise. Holmes has built a reputation as a bold strategist, unafraid to make controversial draft decisions when he believes they serve the team’s long-term vision.

When asked whether the pick was made with Ragnow’s potential retirement in mind, Holmes offered a cryptic smile. “We always draft with the future in mind,” he said. “You never know what tomorrow brings. But we believe in building from the trenches.”

The locker room, too, has embraced the transition. Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Jonah Jackson have taken Graham under their wing, helping ease the rookie’s adjustment to the NFL.

The chemistry of Detroit’s offensive line—a hallmark of their 2024 success—remains strong, even as they shuffle personnel. Coaches say Graham’s demeanor and work ethic have made him an instant fit in the room.

Analysts around the league are now walking back their criticism of Detroit’s draft, calling the pick of Graham “visionary.” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky went as far as to say it could be “one of the most important selections of the entire draft.”

Beyond the field, Ragnow’s retirement also opens up valuable cap space for the Lions. Early reports suggest the team may use that flexibility to shore up depth at linebacker or explore a midseason trade to strengthen the secondary.

Meanwhile, fans who initially questioned the team’s draft approach are now flooding social media with praise for the front office. What once looked like a questionable move now appears to be a franchise-saving decision.

As the Lions head into training camp, all eyes will be on Mason Graham—but with the full backing of his coaches, teammates, and fan base, he seems ready for the challenge. The team believes it hasn’t just found a replacement—they’ve found their center of the future.

If the Lions’ gamble continues to pay off and Graham proves himself in live action, the narrative will shift from mere luck to deliberate genius. Detroit didn’t just weather a storm—they planned for it and conquered it.

One thing is clear: in a league where change can come overnight, the Lions were one step ahead. What looked like a gamble is now a calculated win—and it might just be the move that keeps Detroit’s championship dreams alive.

The Detroit Lions have waived the cornerback they just signed

Divaad Wilson had only a short time in Motown.

Cornerback Divaad Wilson’s stint in Detroit was brief.

After formally announcing the signing of former Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Trystan Colon, the Detroit Lions decided on the 25-year-old defensive back.

Just 48 hours after signing Wilson, the organization waived him with an injury designation.

Center Since declaring his retirement, Frank Ragnow has yet to appear on the official NFL transaction report. Following the addition of Colon, who can give depth to Detroit’s offensive line, the personnel department was forced to reduce the roster by one player.

Throughout his career, Wilson has 10 tackles and one pass defensed. He has previously been with the Giants, Cardinals, and Jaguars.

Detroit’s defensive backfield looked to be pretty strong, so making the team out of training camp could have been difficult for the former UCF defensive back.

Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw are anticipated to make significant progress with veteran D.J. Reed, who has been pleased by the depth of talent in Detroit’s secondary.

“I’m more of a kind of show what I do, and if you pick off it, if you have questions, I got you,” Reed told reporters last week. “But I’m new here, so I’m not going to just come in and tell everyone what works. It’s as if someone approaches me and asks me a question, and vice versa. I ask them questions. I’m new here, so they know more than I do about the playbook and experience, so I’m asking them more questions than they are asking me right now.”

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• John Maakaron has been covering Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings extensive expertise covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John has a variety of sports broadcasting expertise. In 2013, John got the idea to start the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded almost 3000 podcasts about Detroit sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a traditional sports media organization, collaborated with Detroit Sports Podcast to deliver daily Lions content for their growing and increasing digital media platform. Our Lions content is now available in the newspaper at The Oakland He is passionate about Detroit sports, and it shows in his coverage of local teams!

The Detroit Lions can move on from Frank Ragnow.

The Lions will find a way to win without Frank Ragnow in 2025.
By Vito Chirco | June 3, 2025.

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow walks off the field following practice at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow walks off the field following practice at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023. / Junfu Han, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Frank Ragnow era in Detroit has come to an end. Ragnow, who missed the Detroit Lions’ first session of OTAs this spring, announced his retirement on Monday.

The No. 20 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft spent his entire seven-year career in Detroit. He left an indelible impression on the Lions franchise, anchoring the team’s offensive line from center for six of his seven years.

The Arkansas product was a consummate professional both inside and outside of the locker room, and he helped Detroit turn from cellar dwellers to NFC North division champions in 2023 and 2024.

He was adored by his teammates for his perseverance and courage as he battled injury after injury over his final four NFL seasons.

It began in 2021, when a toe ailment limited him to only four games. The following season, he played 16 games despite a groin ailment. Meanwhile, in 2023, he was on the injured report for the bulk of the season while suffering from calf, back, knee, and ankle problems. Ragnow only missed one game last season due to a partly torn pectoral muscle.

Throughout, the interior offensive lineman was regarded as one of the league’s greatest centers, receiving numerous awards. From 2020 to 2024, he was selected to four Pro Bowls and three second-team All-Pro appearances.

Unquestionably, losing Ragnow is a significant setback to the Lions’ offensive line heading into the 2025 season. However, this does not imply that “the sky is falling” on Dan Campbell’s team overnight or that Ragnow is irreplaceable. After all the wear and tear it’s been through in recent years, there’s a good probability his body would have given out on him by now.

It’s one of the reasons why the Lions have made significant investments in the offensive line over the last two rounds, drafting four offensive lineman. Detroit general manager Brad Holmes selected two linemen in 2024 and 2025, picking Giovanni Manu (fourth round) and Christian Mahogany (sixth round) last spring and Tate Ratledge (second round) and Miles Frazier (fifth round) in May.

This upcoming season, both Mahogany and Ratledge are projected to see significant playing time on the offensive line’s interior. Ratledge, who got plenty of reps at center in Ragnow’s absence during OTAs last week, is likely to contend for the starting center job in training camp with veteran lineman Graham Glasgow.

Ratledge, who was picked as a potential long-term successor to Ragnow, could now be thrown into play in the middle of Detroit’s offensive line as a rookie.

While this isn’t the best circumstance for the Lions, it also doesn’t have to be a disaster.

There is precedent for an NFL team needing to replace a Pro Bowl center and then winning the Super Bowl the following season. The most recent example is the 2024 Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Following the 2023 season, the Eagles were forced to replace franchise icon Jason Kelce, as well as hire new offensive and defensive coordinators. The Lions are in the same scenario, with two new coordinators (offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) starting in 2025.

So, despite Ragnow’s unexpected departure, the Lions’ 2025 season is far from over. If Ratledge is as good as the team believes he is, the Lions will be OK and might still win the Lombardi Trophy at the conclusion of the season.