📝 Signed & Sealed
- The Detroit Lions have officially signed second-round pick Tate Ratledge to his rookie deal.
- It’s a four-year contract worth approximately $7.65 million total, including a $2.2 million signing bonus, per Spotrac .
- Ratledge, a standout at Georgia, was the 57th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
- With veteran center Frank Ragnow having retired, Ratledge is being cross-trained for interior line roles, including guard and center.
- Lions’ O‑line coach Hank Fraley emphasized he views him as an interior player, noting Ratledge handled center snaps well in rookie camp
- His signing completes the 2025 Lions draft class roster and avoids a summer holdout
- Ranking as a First-Team All-American (2024) from Georgia and earning high Pro Football Focus grades (74.4 overall, 74.7 run-blocking), expectations are strong: he’s seen as a potential anchor for Detroit’s O‑line.
- His versatility—capable across guard and center—gives the Lions added flexibility up front
This short clip highlights how the deal locks in a key piece for Detroit’s offensive-front rebuild and what it signals about their 2025 ambitions.
- 💰 Contract: 4 years, ~$7.65M, $2.2M signing bonus
- 🏈 Team Fit: Interior OL—guard/center depth and future starter potential
- 📊 Profile: Top-level recruit from Georgia; strong technical and physical upside
- ✅ Implications: Strengthens Detroit’s depth chart and completes rookie class ahead of camp
Would you like a breakdown of how Ratledge’s deal compares to other 2025 second-rounders, insight into Lions OL depth charts, or his projected role in the starting lineup this fall?
