What the Lions get in new offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, is he their new starting center?

Get to know the Lions’ newest offensive lineman

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions did the thing they’ve basically been teasing for the last two months on Monday when they traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs. Let’s get to know this Scruggs guy.

Who is new Lions offensive lineman Juice Scruggs?

Scruggs was a second-round pick for the Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State. In college, he was a starting center for the Nittany Lions and was pretty good at it. In 2022, he allowed 14 pressures and two sacks.

When the Texans drafted him, they had veteran Michael Dieter starting for most of his rookie season. When they put him, Scruggs, in at the end of the season, he struggled at first, but then settled in. In 2024, he was the Texan’s full time starter at center for most of the year.

Halfway through the season, they made the odd choice to move Scruggs to left guard in favor of Jarrett Patterson. As a center, Scruggs allowed 12 pressures and three sacks and put up good grades in run blocking and pass blocking. Once he moved to left guard, he struggled.

In 2025, he came off the bench as a left guard and right guard.

Is Scruggs the Lions center now, and are they done at the position?

I could not possibly doubt that anymore than I’m doubting it now. Scruggs was not a big part of this trade. He was an add-on to the deal. The Lions would not be wise to end their center search here, and they more than likely are not doing that. They’re more than aware of how important it is that they find their next guy.

Now, with that said, Scruggs is 26-years-old. The Lions now have some offensive line depth and some depth at center. If anything, this is probably not a good sign that Graham Glasgow is back in Detroit, whether he retires or not.

The Lions can see what they have in Scruggs for the one year they still have him under contract, and maybe they’re able to get something out of him. Maybe Detroit is the place he’s needed to be, and they do fashion a starting center out of him in time. But if you’re concerned he’s the guy in 2026, you probably shouldn’t be.

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