Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes took care of an easy piece of pre-draft housekeeping Wednesday, exercising the fifth-year option on Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow’s rookie contract.
Ragnow will make a guaranteed $12.657 million in 2022 under terms of the option. NFL Network first reported the decision.
MOVIN’ ON UP?: Lions reportedly tried to trade up for LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase at No. 4
Ragnow, the 20th pick of the 2018 draft, has emerged as one of the best interior linemen in the NFL. He missed two games last season with fractured cartilage in his throat, but has been one of the Lions’ best and most durable players for most of his time in Detroit.
Last year, he started 14 games and was named a second-team All Pro.
The Lions view Ragnow as a foundational piece on offense and likely will try sign him to contract extension in the coming months, either later this year or after the season.
Last summer, they signed left tackle Taylor Decker, their first-round pick in 2016, to a four-year, $60 million extension before he played out the option year on his rookie deal.
The Lions declined the fifth-year option on 2017 first-round pick Jarrad Davis, who signed with the New York Jets as a free agent this offseason.
LINEMAN OF THE FUTURE: Penei Sewell plays with ‘violent intentions,’ may not reach Lions
With Ragnow and Decker entrenched long-term and guard Jonah Jackson back for his second season as starter, the Lions could look to solidify the right side of their offensive line with the No. 7 pick in Thursday’s NFL draft.
Oregon’s Penei Sewell and Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater are considered the top offensive linemen in the draft and potential top-10 picks.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.