Getty NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah predicted head coach Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions to draft Zach Frazier at No. 29 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
The best NFL draft picks often make an immediate impact but also offer long-term upside. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah suggested the Detroit Lions could find both with West Virginia interior offensive lineman Zach Frazier.
Jeremiah predicted the Lions to draft Frazier at No. 29 overall in his second 2024 NFL mock draft.
The NFL draft analyst argued Frazier could first help the Lions replace their free agent offensive guards. But in the long term, Frazier could also be a candidate to replace center Frank Ragnow.
“The Lions’ starting guards are scheduled to reach free agency this offseason, and this feels like Dan Campbell’s type of player,” Jeremiah wrote. “Frazier, a state-champion wrestler in high school, could step right in at guard and eventually move to center.”
Ragnow made it clear that he is not retiring this offseason. But the six-year veteran center dealt with multiple injuries during 2023 and has played through an inoperable toe ailment for two-plus seasons.
How Zach Frazier Could Fit at Guard for the Detroit Lions
Because of needs at edge rusher and cornerback (and safety depth after Tracy Walker’s release), it makes more sense for the Lions to target a defensive player in the first round.
However, the Lions could lose both of their starting guards from 2023 — Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow.
Detroit has more than $48 million in cap space. So re-signing either guard or potentially both is probably on the table.
While Glasgow would be the cheaper option, Jackson is five years younger.
But again, the Lions have needs on defense and contract extensions the team would probably like to offer quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and potentially others this offseason.
With Frazier, the Lions at least fill one of their starting guard spots.
Could Frazier Eventually Replace Frank Ragnow at Center?
After being a little vague to reporters immediately after the NFC championship game loss, Ragnow clarified that he will return for the 2024 season.
“I’m not retiring,” Ragnow said at the reward show in Las Vegas. “I guess my typical offseason routine is kind of get right back into it, but I think as I’m getting older I need to understand that sometimes maybe less is more.
“And I just need some time to make sure I’m healthy and then we’ll get rolling again.”
Ragnow only turns 28 in May. Still, it’s hard to envision he will play for another 5-6 years. He played through pain in his toe, ankle, knee and back during the 2023-24 season.
So, it’s completely appropriate for Detroit to have a contingency plan at center.
The ideal situation for the Lions is a contingency plan where that player can help elsewhere until Ragnow potentially retires. Because of his ability to play both guard and center, Frazier could be that ideal player.
Although Jeremiah predicted Frazier to play guard for the Lions, most draft analysts project Frazier to be one of the top available centers in the upcoming class.
“Frazier is an experienced center-only prospect with adequate size, solid athletic ability and very good play strength that he combines with high-level football intelligence and competitive toughness to run the show pre-snap, lead and find ways to get defenders blocked in a variety of schemes,” The BR NFL Scouting Department wrote. “He projects as a long-term, dependable starter at the pivot.”
Bleacher Report has Frazier ranked the No. 27 overall prospect in the 2024 draft class.
ESPN’s draft experts are not as high on Frazier (the Worldwide Leader in Sports has him ranked No. 95 overall in the class), but ESPN does have him rated as the No. 4 center.