In a live feed update, I’m reporting on a potential shift in the Detroit Lions’ offensive line for the upcoming season. Losing veteran guard Kevin Zeitler could have significant repercussions for the team. Zeitler, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Detroit last offseason, played a pivotal role in enhancing an already impressive offensive line. At 34 years old and coming off a 2023 Pro Bowl selection, Zeitler contributed significantly to the unit, showcasing his durability by appearing in all but one regular-season game despite his age.
However, Detroit may be looking to transition to younger talent. During the 2024 draft, they selected Christian Mahogany, an offensive guard from the sixth round, who could be the next key player in their offensive line rotation. Mahogany saw significant action in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, where he played 66 snaps. Despite facing a below-average defensive line, Mahogany earned strong grades, with a 70.4 run-blocking and an 82.5 pass-blocking grade, demonstrating his potential.
While Week 16 marked Mahogany’s most extended playing time, he saw action in several other games, ending the season with an impressive 82.6 pass-blocking grade and an 80.8 run-blocking grade, culminating in an 81.6 overall grade. Although this is a limited sample size, it’s clear the Lions might be confident in Mahogany’s future as a dominant offensive lineman. Given his strong performance, it wouldn’t be a shock if Zeitler isn’t on the team come 2025.
