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2025 NFL Draft: Building a team of the top remaining prospects (G Tate Ratledge, Georgia -
PFF Big Board Rank: 68. Ratledge pairs clean pass-blocking technique with a physical, downhill run style. He posted an 86.3 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets over the past three seasons and earned 70.0-plus run-blocking grades in both man/gap and zone runs in 2024. While not the most explosive athlete, he profiles as a steady, plug-and-play interior option.) (4-25-25): https://www.pff.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-building-a-team-of-the-top-remaining-prospects
10 best prospects available for Detroit Lions on Day 2 (6. Tate Ratledge, iOL, Georgia:
Tate Ratledge is a powerful interior offensive lineman who brings a blend of size, strength, and technique to the trenches. At 6’6” and 320 pounds, he excels in run blocking, consistently creating lanes for ball carriers. His experience in Georgia’s pro-style offense has prepared him for the complexities of NFL schemes. Ratledge’s ability to anchor against interior pass rushers would enhance the Lions’ pass protection. His physicality and aggressive playing style align with Detroit’s commitment to dominating the line of scrimmage. Adding Ratledge would provide depth and competition along the interior offensive line, potentially solidifying the guard position. His leadership and championship experience would be valuable assets in the locker room. Ratledge’s skill set makes him a strong fit for the Lions’ offensive line unit.) (4-25-25): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/4/25/24416401/2025-nfl-draft-10-best-prospects-available-detroit-lions-day-2
Draft sleepers: 10 prospects to target AFTER Round 1 (2.
Tate Ratledge - DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 62. Production Score: 76. Athleticism Score: 98. OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 84. It was the final day of the combine that helped propel Ratledge to the No. 1 NGS draft score among this year's interior offensive linemen. The Georgia product posted a 4.97-second 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 broad jump, numbers that contributed to an athleticism score of 98 -- which was the second-highest mark in 2025, regardless of position. Ratledge made 36 career starts (all at right guard) over the past three years with the Bulldogs, earning first-team All-SEC honors in back-to-back seasons. And Pro Football Focus charted just two sacks allowed over his entire Georgia career. For teams seeking a plug-and-play guard with a blend of size, athleticism, experience and proven pass-protection skills, Ratledge presents a compelling Day 2 option.) (4-23-25): https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-sleepers-day-2-standouts-and-day-3-hidden-gems-to-target
2025 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense (Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia:
There have been some projections of Ratledge going on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, but I think that could be risky. Ratledge is big and worked out well at the combine, but he had some ugly tape from the 2024 season, and his backup (Micah Morris) was an upgrade when Ratledge was out with an injury. I think there is a chance that he gets overdrafted and ends up being a disappointment.) (4-21-25): https://walterfootball.com/draft2025potentialbustsoffense.php
All-Sleeper Offense: 11 NFL Draft Prospects Poised to Outperform Their Projections (Right Guard: Tate:
Tate Ratledge, on the other hand, is no outlier. A four-star recruit, the 6-foot-6 1/2-inch, 308-pound Ratledge became a first-team All-SEC guy in each of his last two seasons with the Bulldogs. If you're wondering where the ding is that would have him dropping in the draft, it has to do with the fact that various injuries have cost him 20 games in his collegiate career. Other than that, Ratledge is as plug-and-play as anybody in this class. He doesn't play a glamourous position, but right guards are a lot like insurance. You don't notice them until they can't hold up, and then you really notice them. Ratledge can hold up just fine in every requirement for his position. He's agile and athletic enough to swing out in zone and cross the face of a defender to open up rushing lanes, he can explode out of his stance in power situations, and he's just relentlessly consistent. In 1,180 career pass-blocking reps with the Bulldogs, Ratledge allowed two sacks, six quarterback hits, and 10 quarterback hurries.) (4-18-25): https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2025-nfl-draft-sleepers-dillon-gabriel-kyle-williams-tate-ratledge
Lions 2025 draft: An interior offensive line prospect for every round (Second round: Tate Ratlege, Georgia
Ratlege brought the intensity as a three-year starter at right guard for Georgia. He's a taller prospect at 6-foot-6 but doesn't lose the leverage battle often.
What I like: Very good short-area athlete with quick feet and excellent balance. Plays with good pad level in pass protection. Impressive core strength and recovery quickness. Plays like he wants to punish his opponent on every snap. Explodes off the snap and can move folks in the run game. Decent recovery athleticism if beaten initially. Can get to the second level and engage with control. Negatives: Guilty of playing with blinders on at times (Notre Dame and final Texas games stand out here). Has natural bend but can be slow to uncoil and move laterally. Second-act hand moves are sluggish and often too high. Had Tightrope surgery in 2024 for a left high ankle sprain; missed the 2021 season with a foot injury suffered on the 4th play of the year. Has only ever played right guard and doesn't appear to offer ability at center or tackle) (4-17-25): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/04/17/lions-2025-draft-iol-guard-center-prospects-jackson-west-ratledge-grant-mclaughlin/83114031007/
2025 NFL Draft Superlatives: Offensive linemen (Best overall athlete - IOL Tate Ratledge, Georgia:
Ratledge quietly put together an excellent combine performance, clocking a sub-5-second 40-yard dash and adding a 32-inch vertical and 9-foot-5 broad jump. Those numbers align with PFF’s Game Athleticism Score, which has rated Ratledge as a 95th-percentile athlete in two of the past three seasons. That athletic profile should give NFL teams confidence that his elite pass-blocking production can translate to the next level.) (3-26-25): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-superlatives-offensive-linemen
One IOL Lions Could Target in Every Round of NFL Draft (Third round -
Tate Ratledge, Georgia: Ratledge is an assertive run-blocker who plays extremely physical. He dominates at the line of scrimmage, wasting little time getting off the ball and plowing gaps for the run game. The Georgia product also has some athleticism, showcased by his 4.97 40-yard dash at the Combine. From a mentality perspective, Ratledge fits Detroit's style nicely. He does have some issues with hand placement and pad level, but his toughness should allow him to adapt to the NFL level quickly.) (3-24-25): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/one-interior-lineman-lions-target-every-round-nfl-draft
2025 NFL Combine Standouts: Why History Says Nick Emmanwori, Shemar Stewart, Bhayshul Tuten Are Likely Draft Hits (Which OL Stood Out in the Broad Jump? - Tate Ratledge (Georgia): 9’5” at 308 pounds - At guard, Georgia had each of the top two weight-adjusted jumpers. Ratledge and Fairchild combined for 59 career starts for the Georgia Bulldogs and have the physical testing to back up their game experience as well. Both are seen as late Day 2 or Day 3 picks due to the position’s value, but could emerge as early starters for their new teams.):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-combine-standouts-2025/
2025 All-Combine Team, Offense: Quinshon Judkins, Luther Burden III among standouts in Indianapolis (Tate Ratledge
Georgia · OG - Best team fits: Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles. Ratledge reminded me of a number of past draft picks who shined in how swiftly they moved. At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, Ratledge put on a show in testing, running a 4.97 40, jumping 32 inches, landing at 9-feet-5 in the broad jump and posting the best three-cone time at 7.38 seconds. All of those results showed on the field, too, where he flew through every drill intended to test his agility and change-of-direction capability. His expertise as a pulling guard was on full display during the short pull, in which his first two steps were so quick, they almost appeared like a blurred shuffle. In the right running scheme, he can become a fantastic lead blocker who can climb upfield and eliminate defenders at the second and third levels. He's light as a feather in pass drops and should be able to pass off stunts well, too. Unlike Booker, he's not a brute, but he can win with his feet at the pro level and should be an enticing prospect for teams seeking guards who can get out and run.) (3-3-25): https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-all-combine-team-offense-nfl-draft
6 Biggest OL Winners At 2025 NFL Combine (Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia:
Georgia interior offensive lineman Tate Ratledge ran an offensive line-best 7.38 in the 3-cone, illustrating terrific agility and balance. It's a drill that often predicts next-level success for interior blockers. Ratledge was also second-best in the broad jump with a 9-foot-5 leap. A lighting-fast 4.97 40 added to a terrific afternoon.) (3-2-25): https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2025/03/02/nfl-combine-2025-winners-ol
2025 NFL Combine results: 15 standouts from the offensive line groups (Plug-and-play guards - Tate Ratledge, RG, Georgia (6-foot-6 1⁄2, 318) ran a 1.72 second 10-yard split and proved to be more athletic than his game film showed. Known for being a mauler—which did show up in drills—Ratledge has great feet in lateral movement drills, kept square and balanced, and transitioned with great acceleration in pulling drills. He was an easy mover in pass pro, showing more range than expected.) (3-2-25):
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/3/2/24375901/2025-nfl-combine-results-15-standouts-from-the-offensive-line-groups
2025 NFL Combine media recap: 4 offensive linemen full of Lions grit (Georgia OL Tate Ratledge -
It’s hard not to be drawn in by Tate Ratledge, just from his Kenny Powers-esque style: But what stuck out more than his mullet was how he talked about his college quarterback, Carson Beck. In college, Ratledge took it upon himself to make sure Beck was staying level-headed despite a down year last season. There was even an animated discussion on the sideline between the two, and here’s how Ratledge responded to Georgia media afterwards: “I can kind of approach him the way other people can’t, I feel like, and get a better reaction out of him,” Ratledge said. “I kind of know how I can talk to Carson, things like that, certain situations. But that I remember was just telling him to control what he can control. And we need him in games to win them. So just keeping his head level and just try to keep him pushing through.” At the NFL Combine, Ratledge was still defending his quarterback, calling him misunderstood. “I knew how the way I talked to him would affect him at that time. So that was kinda my goal throughout the season: keep him as level-headed as possible,” Ratledge said. “Carson’s a great kid and very misunderstood.” I asked Ratledge what his superpower was on the field, and got a great answer, too. “My mental toughness. I know in the fourth quarter that you’re going to be a lot more worn down than I am.”) (3-2-25): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/3/2/24375525/2025-nfl-combine-media-recap-4-offensive-linemen-full-of-lions-grit
TWENTYMAN: Combine Day 4 observations (Dirtbag mentality: NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Georgia guard Tate Ratledge of having a "dirtbag mentality" in his pre-draft description of him. Asked about it Saturday, Ratledge took it as a huge compliment.
"To be a good offensive lineman, you have to have a little bit of that in you," he said. "But know how to control it at the same time. For someone to say that about me, I appreciate it because I feel like that's how I play." Remember last offseason after the Lions drafted guard Christian Mahogany, GM Brad Holmes said the same thing about him.) (3-1-25): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-combine-day-4-observations-emmanwori-hairston-barron
Six Interior Offensive Linemen Lions Should Watch at NFL Combine (Tate Ratledge, Georgia:
Ratledge is a mean, physical blocker who overcame an injury and bounced back to have a strong finish to the season. He had an invite to the Senior Bowl but did not participate, As a result, his participation at the Combine will be anticipated by NFL scouts. The Georgia product did miss several games last season with an ankle injury, but the medicals should not be much of a concern as he played in his teams' final seven games. He was highly productive in his final collegiate season, allowing just seven pressures in pass protection and earning a 74.7 run blocking grade.) (2-21-25): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/six-interior-offensive-linemen-lions-should-watch-2025-combine
2025 NFL Draft: Strengths and weaknesses for the top interior offensive linemen (IOL2. Tate Ratledge, Georgia -
Big board rank: 94. Strengths: mpressive footwork in pass pro to stay balanced and strong while shuffling. Hands eventually get inside consistently. Good grip strength to maintain blocks. Adequate leg drive for the pro-level. Good technique when combo blocking. Good first-step quickness and coordination for climbing and zone-blocking. Weaknesses: The aiming point for his hands can be wide at the first punch. Sometimes, he just tries to overpower with his upper body (he's been better in 2024)) (2-13-25): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-strengths-and-weaknesses-for-the-top-og-prospects
Georgia 2025 NFL Draft Prospects: EDGEs Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams Headline Exciting Class (Tate Ratledge’s NFL Draft Projection -
Tate Ratledge is a polished prospect with the potential to be selected on Day 2 of the draft. With extensive starting experience and proven effectiveness in both pass protection and run blocking, the Georgia right guard has the ability to start as a rookie. His well-rounded skill set is expected to strengthen an NFL offensive line immediately.) (1-29-25): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/georgia-2025-nfl-draft-prospects/
2025 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the Sugar Bowl: Xavier Watts, Malaki Starks Lead NFL-Caliber Talent in Notre Dame vs. Georgia (Tate Ratledge’s NFL Draft Projection -
Tate Ratledge is regarded as one of the top interior offensive linemen eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft, earning a Day 2 grade. The Georgia right guard possesses impressive strength, powerful blocking ability, and solid mobility. His experience as a starter, combined with his effective performance in both pass protection and run blocking, makes him well-equipped to contribute to an NFL team in year one.) (1-2-25): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/2025-nfl-draft-prospects-sugar-bowl/
2025 NFL Draft: College Football Game Recaps – Week 11 (Georgia guard Tate Ratledge has been out for many games with an injury, but he returned to the starting lineup in this game. The Bulldogs offense looked better with Ratledge’s backup, Micah Morris, on the field. Ratledge gave more proof of that against Ole Miss. Twice in the first half, Ratledge was beaten for sacks as his block was shed, and then the tackles burst down the pocket to take down Beck. To open the third quarter, Georgia replaced Ratledge with Morris, and Morris was doing a better job of blocking the Rebel defensive linemen.
For the NFL, Ratledge looks more like a mid-round backup than a starter. While he is big, he is stiff and struggles with quick-twitch interior defensive linemen. Ratledge is also prone to play high, which makes him susceptible to defenders getting under his pads. While some were projecting Ratledge to be an early-round pick, he looks more like a day-three prospect.) (11-10-24): https://walterfootball.com/2025-nfl-draft-college-football-game-recaps-week-11.php
2025 NFL Draft Stock Report – Week 6 (Down - Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia:
Ratledge went down weeks ago with a sprained MCL and needed tightrope ankle surgery to fix his injury. Ratledge is expected to return this season. Even though he is likely to come back, team sources say they have yet to be impressed with Ratledge on tape, and they feel his backup has a better skill set for the NFL. An injury and underwhelming play is hurting Ratledge’s draft stock this season.) (10-8-24): https://walterfootball.com/draft2025stock_06.php
Lions NFL Draft Watch: 6 Players to Scout (Georgia OL Tate Ratledge -
Ratledge, a 2023 AP All-America second-team selection, is a key cog along Georgia’s offensive line. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder started in 13 of Georgia’s 14 regular season games last season, and helped the Bulldogs finish first in the SEC and seventh in the nation in sacks allowed per game (0.93). Ratledge, one of the best pass-protectors in the country among the collegiate ranks, recorded an 87.4 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade in 2023, and has only allowed one sack in his career. He kicks off his senior season Saturday afternoon in a must-watch contest with Clemson. ) (8-31-24): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-nfl-draft-watch-6-players-to-scout
Led By Malaki Starks, 5 Georgia Players Receive CFN All American Honors (Tate Ratledge, G (First-Team All-American):
A dominating physical force, Tate Ratledge had to wait his turn for two seasons until he finally got his shot in 2022. He followed up a dominant 2022 season with a downright brilliant 2023 and he’s back to finish off his career with a bang for the Bulldogs. Ratledge is big and mean, physical and athletically gifted. At 6’6″ and 310 pounds, he’s shaped like a tackle but has big-man moves on the inside. A sound run blocker, Ratledge has the anchor of a highly-paid left tackle when it comes to pass protection. He does it all at elite levels, and for one last season, Ratledge is back to prove he’s in the conversation as the top interior blocker in all of college football.) (8-5-24): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/all-american-honors-georgia/
10 interior offensive linemen to know ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (Tate Ratledge, Georgia:
Ratledge is easily the best pass-protecting interior offensive lineman in college football. Since 2022, his first two years as a starter, he has led all returning Power Five guards in pass-blocking grade (89.7), pressure-rate allowed (1.3%) and pass-blocking grade on true pass-sets (87.2). Ratledge is an excellent athlete, placing well in PFF’s GAS score in each of the past two years. He has a strong punch in pass-pro with the tenacity to finish blocks. At 6-foot-6 though, he often struggles with leverage in the run game. Still, his pass-protection chops and mean streak will have plenty of teams interested, likely on Day 2.) (5-15-24): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-10-interior-offensive-linemen-to-know-ahead-of-the-2025-nfl-draft