Evaluating Christian Mahogany’s pick by the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions did not trade up on the third day of the 2024 NFL Draft for the first time. Rather, they stayed put and selected Christian Mahogany, a guard from Boston College, in the sixth round. The Lions selected this player with their final pick in the 2024 draft, and it might have the biggest long-term effect on the group. He was named to the All-ACC Second Team at Boston College in 2021, and after he recovered from an ACL tear in 2022, he improved to be named to the All-ACC First Team in 2023. As usual, general manager Brad Holmes of the Lions is drawn to players with a history of injuries.
Mahogany had a grade of 74.9 last season, which placed her as the 24th-ranked guard who participated in at least 20 percent of plays, according to PFF. Mahogany is more of a pass-blocking guard when it comes to the blocking style that works best for him; he ranks 31st with an 82.2 PFF pass-blocking rating. Additionally, he did not allow a single sack during the previous season and only gave up seven pressures on 394 snaps. However, given that Mahogany was ranked 30th in run blocking with a grade of 74.5, this does not imply that run blocking is a significant issue for him. Mahogany needs to get better at one area, as he had five last season and eleven during his time in college.
Mahogany, like fellow rookie Giovanni Manu, won’t be expected to play right away this season. With both of their starting offensive guards, Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler, over 30, and Zeitler just signed a one-year contract, the Lions needed depth at the position. Mahogany can play special teams and experience a gameday in a year. Additionally, Mahogany can battle with Colby Sorsdal and Kayode Awosika, two reserves with starting experience, to determine who could be a genuine backup guard. Mahogany will help keep the aging offensive line youthful as he develops into a player with starting potential. The ability to play center is the one weapon I wish Mahogany had in his toolbox. During his tenure at Boston College
between 2020, he played left guard for Boston College; between 2021 and 2023, he switched to right guard. They need a backup center in Detroit. Although Glasgow technically has that, it would be simpler to switch Glasgow to guard and insert a backup from the bench rather than altering the line’s movement.