Lions experimenting with 2024 NFL Draft pick's OL position
Article excerpt
The Detroit Lions are testing Giovanni Manu, a 2024 draft pick, at different offensive line positions as the team seeks versatility along the front five. Manu, selected in the draft this year, has been moved around during training camp and preseason work to determine where he can contribute most effectively. The experiment reflects Detroit's broader strategy of evaluating roster flexibility during the offseason program. Team coaches see potential in Manu's athleticism and size across multiple positions, though his ultimate role remains undetermined heading into the regular season.
After just the lone start in two seasons, the Detroit Lions are tinkering a bit with Giovanni Manu's position along its offensive line moving forward.
Manu started at left tackle in last season's Week 5 game at Cincinnati, where he logged 62 offensive snaps per Pro Football Focus. The Lions won that game at Paycor Stadium, 37-24, but Detroit quarterback Jared Goff was sacked four times, including twice on plays where the fault was Manu's.
But, after that Week 5 date, the 6-foot-7, 350-pound product from the University of British Columbia was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Now, as Manu readies for his third NFL season, the Lions are experimenting a bit with Manu at offensive guard.
"That's some of what this is. Let's experiment a little bit. We've had a couple of injuries or there again the bugs that maybe a guy that normally would play guard we don't, so let's put him in there. It's actually kind of worked out good and just see what he looks like at guard.
"So, he's still getting tackle reps. We're seeing, we're trying to give him the best opportunity to showcase what he has and who knows, maybe he is better at guard. We still think tackle, but, if he can prove something, then that's good. So, you know, we'll see. He's been here, he's been working, and we won't know until camp," Campbell said.
Heading into the 2026 season, the presumed starters at guard are Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge. The Lions acquired Juice Scruggs as part of the David Montgomery trade and signed Ben Bartch this offseason to help bolster their interior offensive line depth.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions experimenting with 2024 NFL Draft pick's OL position