The Detroit Lions are now facing the challenge of finding a new starting center, following Frank Ragnow’s decision to retire from the NFL.

Over the last few seasons, there was growing speculation about Ragnow’s future in Detroit due to his mounting injuries and the extensive time he spent each week in the medical facility.

Should the team have prioritized drafting Ragnow’s successor earlier?

General manager Brad Holmes has selected offensive linemen in recent years, but none who were standout natural centers.

Detroit’s coaching staff has made it a point to cross-train several linemen to handle multiple positions along the offensive front.

In a 2024 NFL re-draft by Bleacher Report, Detroit selects a lineman at pick No. 29 who played both guard and tackle in college.

Rather than move up for cornerback Terrion Arnold, the Lions stay put and pick Cooper Beebe from Kansas State.

As Kristopher Knox noted, “The shift happens because Detroit anticipates losing Frank Ragnow to retirement in 2025. Though they used a 2025 second-rounder on Georgia’s Tate Ratledge and began giving him center reps early, the team also must replace Kevin Zeitler, now with the Titans. Drafting Beebe lets the Lions slide Ratledge to guard and aim for a strong offensive line again in 2025.”

As a rookie, Beebe was seen as a bright spot on a Dallas Cowboys squad that underperformed last season.

He started all 16 games and ranked as the 20th-best center, according to Pro Football Focus.