2020 NFL Draft: How Jonah Jackson impacts the Detroit Lions roster

The Lions made a surprising move of trading up in the third round, doing so to choose offensive guard Jonah Jackson out of Ohio State. He joins a crowded, but weak, interior offensive line group in Detroit.

Player selected: Jonah Jackson

Position: Interior OL

Current players on roster at IOL:

• Oday Aboushi
• Caleb Benenoch
• Beau Benzschawel
• Russell Bodine
• Tyrell Crosby
• Joe Dahl
• Josh Garnett
• Frank Ragnow
• Casey Tucker
• Kenny Wiggins

Offseason losses at IOL:

• Graham Glasgow

Impact:

The Detroit Lions lost a significant piece of their offense this offseason with Graham Glasgow signing in Denver, and they needed to address the interior of the line in the draft. Jonah Jackson should be a front-runner for a starting position. However, given the Lions’ use of a rotation with Glasgow, Joe Dahl, and Kenny Wiggins in 2019, we could see the rookie eased into the role.

The Lions have a lot of players competing for depth spots, and while Jackson should be a roster lock, it is not out of the question that one of these players impresses during the preseason. Oday Aboushi, Beau Benzschawel, and Josh Garnett could garner extended looks, and Tyrell Crosby might finally slide inside to guard. Jackson also has experience at center, so in the unfortunate event of Frank Ragnow getting hurt, he could move inside.

Altogether, the addition of Jackson fills a much-needed weakness on the Lions roster, and he should get every opportunity to slide in as the starter at right guard.