The trenches in Detroit continue to get built through the draft under the Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes. Despite drafting guard Tate Rutledge in the second round, the Lions returned to the well and drafted guard Miles Frazier from LSU with the 171st pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Lions had to move up to snag Frazier, trading away picks 182 and 228, both sixth-round picks, to move into the fifth round and pick him. Frazier was ranked the 128th best player in the draft according to PFF and 90th according to ESPN.
Frazier is talented and could be considered a dark-horse player who could win a starting guard spot. I don’t see him in the starting competition this season. I think he will be battling with the backups Colby Sorsdal, Kayode Awosika, and Netane Muti for a roster spot instead of the starters. He should make the team, I have no doubt in that, but I think he will win a backup job in 2025, with a chance to become a starter in 2026 as that is the last year starting guard Graham Glasgow has in his deal, and the Lions could move him early if they see another year where his production isn’t what they would like.
His college career started at FIU, where he played left tackle only for two seasons, being a Freshman All-American in 2021. He transferred to LSU and moved from left tackle to left guard, dabbling at every position but center. He would be a full-time right guard for his last two seasons, where he played his best football. Last season, Frazier finished with an 88.0 pass blocking grade according to PFF, seventh-highest in college football.
In his career, Frazier played in 52 games, starting 50 of them, and the only season where he didn’t play at least 12 games was his redshirt freshman year, where he only played three games. In his five-year career, he only allowed eight sacks, only one of them when he played at right guard, and was only called for 10 penalties in five years.
Miles Frazier is gonna be a huge steal for the Lions.
Can play tackle or guard, either side of the line. 4 year starter, 0 sacks allowed this year.
6’6” 317 but fast off the line. A lot to like there, no clue how he was available here
— Brady Balhorn – BNB Football (@BnbFootball) April 26, 2025
Frazier’s versatility on the offensive line is a great thing for the Lions. One of the things the team likes about their offensive lineman is the ability to fill in multiple spots, if needed. While he doesn’t have center experience, his ability to fill in at either guard spot or tackle is impressive. At 6-foot-6, weighing 317 pounds, Frazier is a big dude who can move quickly off the line and isn’t afraid to be a leading blocker on screen plays or pulls.
Frazier could use some work on his run blocking, but when it comes to keeping the quarterback upright, Frazier does a great job making sure his quarterback isn’t lying on the ground. He isn’t afraid to maul defensive players, and if he were to play at right guard between right tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow, he would have a fun time.
Overall, I see this move as a good depth move for the team, and the trade value they gave up was perfectly fine. Giving up two sixth-round picks for a top 100 talent at 171 is a no-brainer. This franchise values the trenches, most importantly the offensive line, since Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell took over in 2021. They see the offensive line as the most important position on the roster, and they are always looking for ways they can improve it, whether it’s through free agency or the draft.
My only gripe with this pick is that while Frazier is versatile on the offensive line, I would have liked someone who has experience at center and guard, rather than guard and tackle. Frazier will be a good player, and I believe he will make the roster. I just wouldn’t expect him to be a starter in 2025, but if he can sit as a backup and learn and improve, he could have Holmes and the front office reconsider what they do with the offensive line in 2026.
Grade: B+
Poll
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