TALK: Detroit Lions UPGRADE Center as Dan Campbell Slams Past FAILURES—Will Cade Mays SAVE the OL?

The Locked On Lions podcast dives deep into the Detroit Lions' offseason moves, focusing on the critical addition of center Cade Mays, who was acquired to address a glaring weakness in the offensive line following Frank Ragnow's retirement and the disastrous performance of Graham Glasgow in 2025. Host Matt Derry emphasizes that Mays, though not an elite center like Tyler Linderbaum or Frank Ragnow, represents a significant upgrade—particularly in pass protection, with zero sacks allowed in his last two seasons. Head coach Dan Campbell praised Mays as a 'cornerstone' player who can anchor the middle of the line and enable creative run schemes. The episode also explores the Lions' draft strategy with guest Dane Brugler, author of The Beast, who discusses top needs at tackle, edge rusher, and secondary. Brugler weighs in on potential first-round targets like Caden Proctor and Monroe Freeling, highlighting the trade-offs between immediate readiness and long-term upside. He also notes the possibility of drafting a high-upside but injury-prone cornerback like Jamod McCoy if the talent is too compelling to pass up. Overall, the episode underscores the Lions’ focus on fixing foundational weaknesses while balancing long-term roster building. Key takeaways include: 1) Cade Mays is a vital upgrade at center, addressing a major 2025 failure; 2) The Lions may prioritize long-term tackle development over immediate need, with Monroe Freeling a strong candidate; 3) Brad Holmes is known for taking calculated risks on injured talent, potentially targeting high-upside players like Jamod McCoy; 4) The edge rusher class is deep enough to wait until pick 50; 5) Positional versatility, especially at guard and center, will be a key factor in draft decisions. The tone is cautiously optimistic, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning and player development.