This is the fifth of our prospect positional preview series for the Detroit Lions heading into the NFL combine, which kicks off next week in Indianapolis. Today: Offensive line. Previously: Quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers

Need?

Oh, yeah. Big time.

And as a response, this is going to be our longest combine preview because it’s the team’s greatest need, and all of those top names make sense. But this is an opportunity to take a closer look at some of the interior offensive line and center prospects, and not just the top tackles on the board. There isn’t a first-round center in this class, but plenty of names to watch after that first night.

We have spent most of the past three months talking about how Detroit’s offensive line needs an infusion of talent. The Lions never recovered from Frank Ragnow’s retirement last offseason, missing the playoffs while Jared Goff got sacked a career-high 38 times. On top of the pressing need for a starting center with Graham Glasgow’s future uncertain, left tackle Taylor Decker is considering retirement. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have to treat this offseason like Decker is already gone, unless they know otherwise.

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New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing runs heavy-set jumbo looks more than most, and the Lions in their current form aren’t ready for that.

On the bright side, Penei Sewell remains a generational cornerstone, and Tate Ratledge flashed as a rookie mauler on the ground. But this team needs to find a new starting center, competition on the interior after Christian Mahogany’s tough year and a starting tackle this offseason. Sewell can handle anything, so the Lions have some flexibility when it comes to drafting a tackle. Even if Decker returns, the offensive line needs serious resources invested in it this offseason to get back on track.

Top Prospects:

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

An expected top-10 pick that should be well off the board before the Lions step to the plate at 17th overall. Francis Mauigoa could play tackle or guard thanks to his 6-foot-6, 325-pound build. He was a full-time right tackle over the last three years. Mauigoa played more than 1,000 snaps in 2025. He’s an established workhorse who also played 913 snaps in 2024 and 866 as a freshman in 2023. If he somehow falls to 17th, get to the stage to announce it (same for the next name on this list).

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Spencer Fano is also expected to push for OL1 (I had him there as third overall in my mock), and not be available for Detroit. Fano shifted to right tackle in 2025 and 2024 after starting a handful of games at left tackle as a freshman. This past season, he allowed no sacks or quarterback hits across 778 reps. He is a plus athlete who looks ready to spark a rushing attack. The Lions would have to figure out where to deploy their tackles if Decker retires in this case, but that’s a good problem at that talent level.

Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Olaivavega Ioane is such an enticing option that it’s totally within the realm of possibilities that he’s a legitimate option in the first round. “Vega” allowed no sacks and only one quarterback hit across the last two seasons at Penn State. He’s molded for the next level on the inside at 6-foot-4, 328 pounds.

Taking a guard, especially one like Ioane, would signal a change coming to the interior unit for the Lions. Either he’s there to compete for Mahogany’s spot or Ratledge is moving to center if he’s the pick. Ioane is ready to start at guard, and that’s the signaled plan if you’re taking him that high.

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

And since this is a combine preview, it’s worth noting Kadyn Proctor was honored on The Athletic’s “Freaks List” for some of his testing results. I also mocked him to the Lions at the 17th pick in my first projections, for those interested. We’re talking about an All-American left tackle listed at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds who can squat 815 pounds, bench press 535 pounds and power clean 405 pounds.

Proctor is a massive human, so conditioning and quickness will need to be fostered. But he’s shown continued growth against the best of the best as Alabama’s starting left tackle for three seasons.

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah described Monroe Freeling as “Dan Campbell-ey” during a conference call ahead of the combine. He told a story of how Freeling was dealing with a high-ankle issue and was not expected to play. When the team asked him if he could be an emergency option, Freeling said he could, then ended up playing 63 snaps vs. Auburn.

Freeling is considered a high-upside option among the top tackle prospects. The 21-year-old started only 16 games during two seasons at Georgia. He’s a 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle with massive arms who allowed only three sacks across 882 reps at left tackle. If he tests as well as expected, buckle up.

Potential Lions Fits:

All of the above top prospects listed

Seriously, though.

Connor Lew, C, Auburn

We have to talk about some centers, so let’s start. Connor Lew is an interesting one to watch after his season ended due to a torn ACL in October. He was a full-time starter in 2024, and even with the injury that will likely cause him to miss most of the offseason, he declared for the draft as a junior. Lew allowed three sacks during three years at Auburn. He’s a pure center prospect, but are the Lions really in a position to wait for a rookie to get up to speed after what happened last year? Holmes has swung and waited for injured prospects to get right in the past, so we can’t rule the possibility out yet.

Sam Hecht, iOL, Kansas State

Jeremiah also said on the same conference call that he thinks Sam Hecht could start at center as a second-round pick out of the gates. Hecht has a ton of experience snapping the ball and is another pure center prospect to track. He played more than 1,500 snaps at center for the Wildcats over the last two seasons. He didn’t allow a single sack during his college career, with only one quarterback hit surrendered, per PFF. Hecht is a 6-foot-4, 297-pound senior who gets celebrated for his technique and ability to play all offensive schemes.

If the Lions prioritize the draft to fix the center position instead of free agency, Hecht has to be near the top of the list heading into the combine.

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Caleb Lomu saw the majority of his playing time at left tackle while on the same line as Fano at Utah. Lomu didn’t allow one sack last year, and surrendered only two during his career for the Utes. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound redshirt sophomore is viewed as a strong athlete who needs a little more honing as a run-blocker. Along with Freeling, Lomu likely requires patience as he puts all of the pieces together at the next level. But whew, he has the looks of being an enticing puzzle.

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

In a perfect world, Decker would return for one more season, and the Lions could take someone like Max Iheanachor to get ready with snaps as the extra blocker in all those jumbo looks. The only drawback to Iheanachor is the lack of experience and how much time and work it would take to get him to where they need him. They already have a developmental tackle in-house in Giovanni Manu, with that situation entering a crucial offseason.

Iheanachor played nearly 1,800 snaps at right tackle over the last two years. He moved to Los Angeles from Nigeria when he was 13 years old and didn’t play football in high school, so he’s been a quick learner at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds.

Sleepers to Watch:

Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Logan Jones was the Rimington Trophy winner as the nation’s best center and was an All-American. Not bad for someone who arrived at school as a raw defensive lineman. Jones was a four-year starter at Iowa, ranking in PFF’s top 10 at the position in back-to-back seasons. He allowed only three sacks across the previous three seasons, including one in 2025. He didn’t allow a single pressure across his final six games last season for the Hawkeyes.

Despite all of this, and his recognition as a special athlete, concerns with his play strength, length and ability to hold up against bull rushers have pushed him into the middle-round range.

Jones has a chance to show out in Indy, though. He’s an impressive athlete and could make some teams think that’s enough to develop. Jones set the Iowa program record for a 705-pound squad, and the record for centers with a 36.6-inch vertical and 10-yard split and shuttle times. He’s worth a look.

J.C. Davis, OT, Illinois

J.C. Davis has played more than 775 snaps at left tackle every season since 2023. He’s a mighty run blocker at 6-foot-4, 330-plus pounds. PFF ranked him as the sixth-best run blocker among all offensive linemen in the nation last season. He was a four-year starting left tackle between his two seasons apiece at New Mexico and Illinois. Davis put his name on radars in 2023, then proved he could dominate on a tougher stage. It feels likely that a move to guard would be explored for Davis.

Jager Burton, C, Kentucky

Another center to round out the list comes from Kentucky in the SEC. Jager Burton started 47 consecutive games to finish his college career, proving to be a reliable and durable piece in the middle of the trenches. No sacks or hits allowed across 817 center snaps in the SEC last year? Yeah, that’s impressive. Burton is listed at 6-foot-4, 322 pounds and earned some love from many as a standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

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