This is one of the better interior offensive line groups to come out in some time with teams in need of help being able to find starters well into Day 2 of this draft.
There are also a number of players with tackle/guard versatility who are listed as tackles but could start their careers inside or play there permanently.
The Lions are in a good spot picking at No. 28 because some of the best interior offensive line talent could still be available as those players typically start to come off the board later in the first round.
"That's the engine for us," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said of the offensive line after the season. "And so, I don't care how good we ever get on the offensive line, that one right there is too important for not only our team, our quarterback, everything, it's our identity, man. So, I think just that alone is just – it's always going to be at the forefront."
Top 5 interior offensive linemen to watch at the Combine:
1. Tyler Booker, Alabama, 6-5, 325
Booker was a two-year starter and team captain at Alabama who has all the physical tools to be an immediate impact player in the NFL. He has terrific technique in pass pro and is a dominant run blocker with his size and power. He was moving some of the bigger nose tackles in the college game with ease.
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) sets up to block against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Anthony Belton (74) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) sets up for a play against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
American team offensive lineman Logan Brown of Kansas (52) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby (77) sets up for a play during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. (76) holds off Illinois defensive lineman Alex Bray (11) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 38-9. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Texas offensive lineman Hayden Conner waits for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius warms up before an NCAA college football game against Stanford on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Kentucky offensive lineman Eli Cox (75) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Florida offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (65) sets up to block against Georgia linebacker Chaz Chambliss (32) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
LSU offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (72) guards in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69) lines up for play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Georgia offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild (53) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU offensive lineman Miles Frazier (70) steps up to the line of scrimmage against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant (60) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Williamsburg, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray (67) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Michigan offensive lineman Myles Hinton plays during the NCAA college football team's spring game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Huber (60) congratulates running back Chez Mellusi on a touchdown against South Dakota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson plays against Purdue during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
LSU offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) sets up to block against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman Luke Kandra (67) reacts after a Emory Jones touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Boston College offensive lineman Drew Kendall (66) prepares to block against Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game in University Park, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Connecticut offensive lineman Chase Lundt (75) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Texas center Jake Majors (65) lines up against Oklahoma defensive lineman Jordan Kelley (88) during the second half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Dallas. Oklahoma won 55-48. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
National team offensive lineman Marcus Mbow of Purdue (63) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Ohio State offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou (79) blocks Alabama linebacker Qua Russaw (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
West Virginia's Wyatt Milum #64 in action against Towson during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Southern California offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) plays against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rutgers offensive lineman Hollin Pierce (72) defends against Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison (9) during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Miami offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, left, and Georgia Tech defensive lineman Eddie Kelly tackle each other during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Texas Tech offensive lineman Caleb Rogers (76) prepares to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) lines up against TCU linebacker Cooper McDonald (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons plays against Western Michigan during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
South Carolina offensive lineman Cason Henry (75) and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III (76) sets up for a play against Illinois during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Clemson offensive lineman Marcus Tate (74) sets up to block during the first half of the Cheez-It Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pittsburgh's Branson Taylor #78 in action against Kent State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (70) anchors the line during the first half of an NCAA football game against Louisville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Iowa State offensive lineman Jalen Travis (72) gets ready for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Georgia offensive lineman Xavier Truss (73) blocks against Florida edge Kamran James (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
American team offensive lineman Carson Vinson of Alabama A&M (76) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team offensive lineman Clay Webb (74), of Jacksonville State, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Texas offensive lineman Cameron Williams (56) lines up for a play during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against between Texas and Ohio State, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cincinnati offensive lineman John Williams (75) sets up to block against Central Florida defensive end Nyjalik Kelly (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia offensive lineman Jared Wilson (55) sets up to block against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
North Dakota State linemen Grey Zabel (74) lines up against a South Dakota defender during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Vermillion, S.D. (AP Photo/Josh Jurgens)
2. Armand Membou, Missouri, 6-3, 332
Membou played right tackle in college and could fit there in the NFL too, but making the move to guard would be no problem for him. He's got a unpleasantness about his game that teams are going to love and could make him an impact player at guard right away.
3. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, 6-4, 320
Jackson was a three-year starter for the National Champion Buckeyes. He's got terrific feet and athleticism for a player his size and is terrific in space at the second level. He stepped in and played left tackle when needed due to injury last season, so there's some position versatility there as well.
4. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, 6-5, 316
He played four different positions at NDSU and had a really nice Senior Bowl, showing he could handle the step up in competition. He's a tough, hard-nosed offensive line prospect with great size and position versatility teams are going to like.
5. Tate Ratledge, Georgia, 6-6, 320
Ratledge was a three-year starter at right guard who plays with an edge and nastiness. Holmes described rookie guard Christian Mahogany as having a 'dirtbag' mentality in his playing style after last year's draft and Ratledge could garner a similar reputation.
Combine sleeper to watch: Marcus Mbow, Purdue, 6-4, 309
Mbow might be the best pure athlete of the bunch. After playing right tackle the last couple years for the Boilermakers, he's expected to move back to guard in the NFL. He really excels in space in movement blocks, and he'll impress teams in drills with his athleticism.
Lions' need at the position: Moderately high
As Holmes said after the season, he'll never get complacent continuing to add talented players to an offensive line that is the strength of this football team.
Veteran Kevin Zeitler is headed toward free agency, and we'll see if he and the team decide to re-up for another run at a Super Bowl in 2025. He was one of the better right guards in football this season at 34 years old.
Veteran Graham Glasgow had a little bit of a down season after moving to left guard to accommodate the signing of Zeitler. Glasgow graded 68th among all guards who played at least 100 snaps this season by Pro Football Focus. His 11 quarterback hits allowed were the second most at the position and his 45 overall pressures allowed were fourth most.
Mahogany seems poised to compete for a starting role after a solid rookie season. Whether that's at right guard or left will be an interesting development to watch.
Key stat: Detroit's 15 games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown tied the single-season NFL record.
