Following the injury to starting center Frank Ragnow on December 3, the Detroit Lions received a promising early prognosis. But they’re not out of the woods yet with Ragnow. The Lions should also consider adding depth to their offensive line. For these reasons, the NFL staff at Bleacher Report believes the Lions should pursue veteran guard Gabe Jackson in free agency.
“Ragnow suffered a leg injury in New Orleans, so the Lions slid Graham Glasgow to center and put rookie Colby Sorsdal in at guard,” the members of the Bleacher Report staff noted. “With Halapoulivaati Vaitai already on injured reserve, it would be prudent to have a veteran on hand in case Ragnow is forced to miss more time.”
“Also, Jackson has built a career out of being a physical run-blocker, so he should fit in well in the Motor City.”
Jackson is in his tenth season in the NFL. He had started at least 11 games every year since 2014 prior to this season.
Jackson signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2017.
Gabe Jackson’s Potential Fit With the Lions
Jackson has excelled at both run and pass blocking at various stages in his career, according to Pro Football Focus player grades. However, Jackson’s PFF player grades over the last two seasons support the BR staff’s argument that he is better at run blocking.
Jackson has spent the previous two seasons blocking with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, Seattle was 11th in rushing yards and 18th in 2022.
The Lions will almost certainly start Graham Glasgow at center and rookie Colby Sorsdal. Jackson also lacks experience at the position.
Jackson has excelled at both run and pass blocking at various stages in his career, according to Pro Football Focus player grades. However, Jackson’s PFF player grades over the last two seasons support the BR staff’s argument that he is better at run blocking.
Jackson has spent the previous two seasons blocking with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021, Seattle was 11th in rushing yards and 18th in 2022.
The Lions will almost certainly start Graham Glasgow at center and rookie Colby Sorsdal. Jackson also lacks experience at the position.
However, by adding Jackson, the Lions would gain another option at guard in addition to Sorsdal. Or, to put it another way, additional depth in case another accident develops.
The Lions could try to sign Jackson to their practice squad, like they did in November with 36-year-old defensive end Bruce Irvin. Irvin made his Lions debut in Week 13 and performed admirably, collecting a sack.
Jackson started his NFL career as the 81st overall choice in the third round of the 2014 draft. He spent seven seasons with the Raiders before joining the Seahawks in 2021.
Frank Ragnow of the Lions Managing Another Injury
Ragnow has spent nearly the whole 2023 season playing through pain. He was forced to leave the game in Week 13 due to a knee injury.
The injury prognosis was initially bleak, but head coach Dan Campbell delivered a more upbeat update at his postgame press conference.
“At first, coming off, it was sounding like one thing, and then after the fact, it sounded like something maybe a little bit different,” Campbell told reporters following the game. “One was not as good, one sounds more positive.”
If Ragnow’s injury is deemed more serious, the demand for Jackson will undoubtedly increase. The Lions are already without guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is sidelined with a back injury.
