If there’s one thing that the Detroit Lions had a major problem with this year, it was the trenches, particularly on the offensive line.

The losses of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler proved too big to overcome, and both Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow might have just played their final seasons in the NFL. So what does Brad Holmes do now? How do you get this thing back on track? Well, here’s a five-step plan by position.

Left Tackle: Draft your future left tackle in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft

There are some very good left tackles in this draft, and the Lions will have the benefit of having a high pick. They could go as high as the 13th pick in this draft.

If they can walk out with Utah’s Spencer Fano or Caleb Lomu, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa, or Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, they’ll be set at left tackle for the long run. As for Decker, it makes a lot of sense that he will retire after this season. It did not go well for him health-wise.

Left Guard: Get Christian Mahogany healthy

This was a rough season for Mahogany, but I don’t think it’s because he’s a bad player. These last few games are a direct result of him maybe coming back before he was fully ready, and he also had to play with a center who had never played a regular-season game during the last two games, which affected everyone.

When he played with a stable, healthy line and a good center, he played well. It’s too early to give up on him. In the meantime, I would be prepping Miles Frazier for the potential of taking over here if need be.

Center: Back up the Brinks truck to Tyler Linderbaum’s house and do not take no for an answer

If you learned anything this season, it’s that an offensive line goes the way its center goes. If that guy isn’t good, then the whole line won’t be good. Right now, this team is just way too talented to be going into the draft hoping for a good center to fall into its lap and develop quickly. The Lions are also way too talented to stick Tate Ratledge there and hope he works out.

Tyler Linderbaum is a proven talent at center, and his addition could change this offensive line for the better overnight. We’re talking about one of the most important free agency signings in Lions’ history. It won’t be easy. The Ravens will probably do what they can to keep him. The fact that they declined his fifth-year option gives Detroit a chance if he hits the market in March.

Right Guard: Stick with Ratledge

The Lions have the right guy here. He showed that he can be a solid NFL right guard. That’s why they need to keep him there, keep developing him at the position, and not try to move him to center, where he’s never played before.

Right Tackle: Change nothing

Penei Sewell is one of the best offensive linemen in football. Just keep moving forward with this guy. I understand there’s some call to move him to left tackle, and I get that to an extent, but he’s best at his position on the right side. No need to mess with that.