If the (possibly way too) early signs are any indication, Frank Ragnow could be lining up at a new position in his second NFL season. Through two practices in OTAs, the Lions' first-round pick in 2018 has moved from left guard to center.
So his new position is his old one.
"It's good. I’ve obviously played the position in college," Ragnow said Tuesday. "I know this is going to sound boring, but you play what you can play. I think it adds value to you as a person, the more you can do. I’m just trying to fit my role, whatever role they choose."
Ragnow took all but one of his snaps at left guard during an up-and-down rookie season, his first time playing that position in his career. He spent most of his time at Arkansas at center, while also playing some right guard. He was named the best center in the country by Pro Football Focus as both a junior and a senior.
Compared to his switch last offseason, this one is nothing.
"The transition from left guard was a little more difficult because I haven’t played it before. There’s definitely some experience (at center), so I’d say I guess it’s a little smoother, but there’s some bumps and bruises along the way," Ragnow said.
Detroit's starting center last season was Graham Glasgow, who figured to keep that role in 2019. He certainly still might. But at practice on Tuesday the Lions featured an offensive line (from left to right) of Taylor Decker, Kenny Wiggins, Ragnow, Glasgow and Rick Wagner.
If Ragnow stays where he is, he'll have a chance to be the vocal leader of the unit.
"That was part of the game I really enjoyed in college, making all the calls and kind of leading the guys," he said. "But like I’ve said before, this offensive line room is so unique it’s like there’s five centers up front. Everybody’s talking, everybody’s communicating. It’s great."
Matt Patricia and the Lions have made it clear they value versatility on the O-line. Ragnow said he's "kind of cross-trained my whole time here." Still, he started out at left guard last spring and that's where he ended up. This spring, he said, he's been playing more frequently at center.
Patricia downplayed the situation when asked about it Tuesday.
"We evaluate a lot of players at a lot of different positions. The spring is a great time to do that. Frank knew how to play center last year, too. Graham cross-trains at guard, he’s played guard before in the league. He’s got a little bit more experience than Frank does playing center in the NFL right now. It’s just a great opportunity for us to get a look at all different sort of combinations of players that we have," Patricia said.
Ultimately, Patricia is looking for the most cohesive unit he can find up front. He wants each player on the same wavelength, which requires tinkering and experimenting with different lineups. He said he likes Glasgow's underrated length and "short-space quickness" at guard, which naturally opens the door for Ragnow at center.
Glasow spent most of the 2017 season at left guard, but hasn't played right guard in his career. Just like Ragnow had never played left guard last year -- which didn't stop the Lions from putting him there.
"That’s the one group I would say, as a whole, that’s really difficult from that standpoint that you’ve got five guys that have to see the game through the same sets of eyes," Patricia said. "There’s a lot of repetition, a lot of situations where you’re trying to put them in that sort of communication stressor so that they work through all of that.
"Frank’s one of those guys. He certainly has position flex. We knew that when we drafted him. We’ll see how the competition goes from that standpoint.”