Frank Ragnow Named Detroit Lions Most Underrated Player

Why Frank Ragnow was named by Sports Illustrated as being underrated.

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow is among the most respected offensive linemen in the National Football League. 

Back in 2021, the talented lineman signed a four-year, $54 million extension with the team that made him a first-round pick back in 2018. 

In a recent listing of underrated players from each NFC team, Sports Illustrated named the 27-year-old as a player that should be more heralded. 

As Conor Orr explained, "Over the past two seasons, Jared Goff has not only transformed the public’s perception of his ceiling in the NFL, but he has also become one of the best certified blitz beaters in the league. This past season, only two quarterbacks had better expected points added ratings (essentially, how directly a given snap can correlate to points) against the blitz. That was up from 14th in 2021, a season Ragnow missed most of with a toe injury. Orchestrating all that traffic, even with a talented offensive line, rests up front."

Even though he has battled a turf toe injury that has been deemed inoperable, Ragnow is expected to play and perform at very high level in 2023. 

"He's been great in the room. I joke with him about not taking all the reps out there, but he could be tougher on that end," offensive line coach Hank Fraley said jokingly. "But he's good. What he goes through, I admire him (just like) the guys in his room do. He's getting where he needs to be, mentally strong. He's there for the guys. That's what's great about him now."