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After one season with the team, Kevin Zeitler has departed in free agency with the Tennessee Titans, who signed the former Pro Bowler to a one-year, $9 million contract, which amounts to a deserved raise for the veteran guard.
At the other guard spot, the Lions have Graham Glasgow, who remains under contract through 2026. However, Glasgow is coming off a down season and there are concerns about a decline at 33 years old. Knowing that, the Lions have to be ready to replace him sooner rather than later.
In a move that would provide some competition for Mahogany this year, and a possible replacement for Glasgow down the road, Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante has Detroit drafting Georgia guard and two-time national champ Dylan Fairchild with their compensatory pick in the third round.
“As an athletic interior lineman on tape with quick feet and a high football IQ, Dylan Fairchild has the tools to develop into a solid starter if he lands in the right spot,” Infante wrote. “An otherwise-loaded Lions offensive line could end up being that right spot.”
Fairchild started for Georgia the past two years but was part of the program’s two national titles in a row in 2021 and 2022 before he was promoted to the aforementioned bigger role.
Over his two years as a starter for Georgia, Fairchild allowed just one sack, one QB hit and 12 hurries. In 2024, the former Bulldog posted an elite pass-block grade of 87.0 and a strong run-blocking grade of 71.8.
Fairchild figures to need time to develop at the next level before becoming a starter, but the fact that he played high-level competition in the SEC could help him acclimate faster.
Even if he needs a year to develop, the Lions can afford to wait that long thanks to already having a likely starting guard duo of Mahogany and Glasgow lined up for 2025.