Christian Mahogany stood out as major positive for Lions in tough playoff defeat

There weren't many bright spots for the Detroit Lions in a dismal playoff loss, but there was one notable positive.

Right guard Kevin Zeitler suffered a hamstring injury in the regular season finale, and he was unable to to play against the Commanders. So rookie Christian Mahogany made his second career start, after starting at left guard in place of Graham Glasgow back in Week 16.

Mahogany was not noticeably made under the lights of a playoff game, which is a credit to him. When Pro Football Focus grades came out after the game, he truly stood out.

While the Lions' offense struggled against the Washington Commanders to the tune of five turnovers, the offensive line was elite. Detroit rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and holes were paved most of the night. The argument can be made that the game plan didn't do enough to feature a strong running game. A big reason the Lions didn't miss a beat up front was Mahogany.

Christian Mahogany is locked in as a future starter for the Lions

Looking to the offseason, the 34-year old Zeitler is a free agent and it's a question as to whether he'll be back with the Lions or not. If he's not, Mahogany has shown himself as capable of being his replacement as the starting right guard.

With that in mind, the Lions may not have to devote notable resources in free agency or the draft to adding a guard. Glasgow had a notable decline this year after an excellent 2023 campaign (at right guard, for what it's worth, as he moved to accommodate the addition of Zeitler), so the idea of him becoming a versatile interior depth piece next season is not ridiculous.

In any case, when he has played this season, Mahogany showed great instincts and agility in space. He has been strong at the point of attack, and shown fantastic awareness.

Mahogany's rookie season was derailed early by a bout with mono. But he seized opportunity when it came, playing well in one start at each guard spot. Brad Holmes has been able to find starters in the middle and late rounds of the draft, and may have done so again. Mahogany was a sixth-round pick who fell due to some injury concerns, but it looks he's on the fast track to being a difference maker.