Lions have an intriguing trade option to solve sudden problem at center with former Michigan center
Detroit Lions suddenly have an interesting trade option at center. A former Michigan standout could quietly solve one of Detroit’s biggest roster questions heading into Week 1, and he’s expected to be on the block.
The Detroit Lions have some decisions to make at center now that Cade Mays is expected to miss time until October. Detroit has in-house options like Seth McLaughlin and Juice Scruggs, and either one would probably be fine. But if the Lions wanted to take a bigger swing, there’s a center on the trade market worth going after, and it’s a name Lions fans should recognize: former Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi.
Who is Olu Oluwatimi?
Oluwatimi transferred to Michigan in 2022 from Virginia and won both the Outland Trophy and the Rimington Trophy as the best center in college football. He went to the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s been something of a part-time starter. He’s played 36 games and started 13 of them. Last season, he played in eight games and started four.
There’s growing talk that the Seahawks might be willing to move him. Leo Vowel of 12th Man Rising wrote last week that Seattle is working toward using Jalen Sundell as its starter, and that Sundell’s athleticism could eventually push Oluwatimi out. That makes Oluwatimi either a cut candidate or a potential trade piece.
What would Oluwatimi bring to Detroit?
You have to understand what you’re getting here. You’re not getting a Pro Bowl starter. You’re not getting an All-Pro. Those guys don’t get traded. The Lions probably don’t even want to make that kind of move because all they need is someone who can play through September and hold things down.
In 486 pass block snaps in 3 seasons, Oluwatimi has not allowed a single sack. He’s allowed just 8 pressures, never allowed a sack.
That’s pretty good. He has experience playing center in the NFL and was very good at it in college. This is someone Detroit could probably call Seattle about and offer a sixth- or seventh-round pick for. Oluwatimi could come in and immediately be a part of what the Lions are trying to do. It also frees up Scruggs to continue fighting for that right guard spot or to serve as a reliable option off the bench.
Do the Lions even need to make this move?
I think what the Lions ultimately do is just go with Scruggs, and they’d be totally fine doing that. Last year when Detroit abruptly lost Frank Ragnow, that was a big deal. The Lions were not prepared for it. This year they’re much more prepared. McLaughlin and Scruggs are two guys who have played center in the NFL already. Michael Niese can play a little center here and there as well. The Lions also talked about giving some snaps to Tate Ratledge, although they’ve mentioned keeping him out of team drills. I wouldn’t think Ratledge is moving anywhere at this point or ever. He’s a right guard and a pretty good one at that.
So the question becomes simple. Do you stick with Scruggs? Do you stick with McLaughlin? Or do you call up the Seahawks and say, how about a sixth or seventh for Oluwatimi? Then you’ve got somebody with starting ability who started last year and could at least get you through September. For such a low price, it’s something worth thinking about if you’re Brad Holmes.
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