Brad Holmes says Lions evaluated Tate Ratledge as top center prospect

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes reportedly identified Tate Ratledge as the highest-graded center in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Despite spending his entire college career at Georgia as a right guard and maintaining that position throughout his 2025 rookie season in Detroit, the organization viewed him as a viable interior option during the evaluation process. This assessment explains the team's decision to carry a thin roster at center for the Week 1 opener, leaving the squad without a traditional backup behind starter Juice Scruggs. The Lions omitted Seth McLaughlin from the practice squad for the season opener, naming Ratledge as the primary emergency center instead. The team continues to cross-train Ratledge at the position to address depth concerns following a wrist injury to Cade Mays. Detroit maintains that Ratledge remains the starting right guard, but he serves as the secondary plan if circumstances require a personnel shift on the offensive line.

• 3:20 PMYahoo Sports — Brad Holmes Drops Surprising Tate Ratledge Revelation