What the Detroit Lions are getting in IOL Juice Scruggs

In the immediate wake of the NFL’s annual Scouting Combine—perhaps fueled by late-night conversations at St. Elmo Steak House and Prime 47—trades and roster movement often materialize just before the start of free agency. Monday delivered an emotional one for Detroit Lions fans, as the franchise parted ways with David Montgomery, a move that had quietly been building throughout the offseason.

To their credit, Brad Holmes and the Lions maximized the return. Detroit secured a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and rotational interior offensive lineman Scruggs—the 11th-highest draft selection of the Texans under general manager Nick Caserio (62nd overall in 2023).

Scruggs brings 1,663 career snaps (48.9% of Houston’s offensive plays since 2023) and experience at both guard spots and center. However, his development was somewhat fragmented in Houston, as he was frequently shifted between positions despite center being his natural position and a prominent collegiate home.

Holmes deserves credit for churning the back end of the roster and strengthening the two-deep. Last season, with Graham Glasgow pressed into a full-time starting role out of position, it left Trystan Colon as the emergency interior swing option (three starts), and eventually Kingsley Eguakun getting two starts (Lions 0-2 in those games). Scruggs should represent an upgrade over those depth options at center.

At guard, however, the projection is less encouraging. He profiles as a below-average spot starter there—particularly compared to Glasgow at right guard. His upside lies squarely at center. Still, it would be surprising if the Lions entered 2026 with Scruggs penciled in as the unquestioned starter. More likely, he was a value-add at a position of need to squeeze the most value out and get the trade over the end zone—a controllable piece with developmental upside.

Below is a breakdown of what Detroit is getting—strengths, weaknesses, and contextual factors—with emphasis on Scruggs’ eight starts at center in 2024 before he was shifted back to left guard in Week 10.

Pros/Strengths

Experience snapping from both shotgun and under center

Houston operated at a 60.7% shotgun rate in his eight starts at center (26th most in the league during that span). For comparison, Detroit ranked 32nd at 37.2%.

Most comfortable when uncovered rather than head-up on a 0-technique

Extensive zone-blocking experience and comfort

Best as a lateral run blocker

Capable reach blocker who gains outside leverage of a defender

Uses defender momentum effectively in flow of play

Targets backside defenders well on down blocks

Can climb to the second level effectively and hit landmarks

A plus player in space and on screens

Strong grip strength — when he wins early, he can lock out and sustain

Solid pass protector

Sorts stunts well

Mirrors once engaged

Finds work when uncovered

Capable pre-snap communicator in blitz identification

High-effort player who finishes through the whistle

Only two penalties in his eight starts at center (same number as Frank Ragnow during that span)

Cons/Negatives

More of a positioning wall-off blocker than a drive blocker

Struggles to consistently displace defenders vertically

Limited gap-scheme experience

Can be out-physicaled at times

Inconsistent pad-level, leading to leverage issues when he pops up

When upright, he reaches and turns his hips, creating penetration lanes

Battled well against Indianapolis’ Grover Stewart but surrendered some backfield disruption

Occasionally oversets in pass protection

Can be cross-faced by inside counters

Too upright out of stance at times, limiting recovery ability

Uncomfortable at guard against strong 3-techniques

Balance issues flared up vs. 3T DTs

Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons cannonballed their entire offense and made Scruggs a liability

Undersized for an NFL guard

Tendency to look down right as he is snapping from shotgun

Minnesota defensive tackle Sheldon Day timed one snap due to this for a quick pressure that resulted in a sack

He hasn’t played center since midseason 2024

Factors to consider

Culture fit for the Lions, as Scruggs was a 2022 team captain and veteran voice at Penn State

Hank Fraley will be arguably his most impactful offensive line coach in the NFL

There is $0 guaranteed remaining on Scruggs’ contract. The Lions are not financially tied to him beyond this season, and he is not guaranteed a 2026 53-man roster spot. This is a low-risk evaluation year.

Acquiring Scruggs so soon after evaluating the center group at the NFL Scouting Combine could signal that the Lions are less likely to pursue a developmental center in the draft, instead targeting a more proven and skilled immediate starter in free agency

The only real draft exception would be if someone like Spencer Fano unexpectedly falls to pick No. 17 and is viewed as a long-term answer inside.

The guard room is already young with Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, and Miles Frazier (plus Colby Sorsdal) in the pipeline. With Scruggs capable of playing guard to some degree (12 career starts there), the only meaningful addition at guard would likely be a veteran left guard to allow Mahogany a year to develop as a reserve

As a rookie in 2023, Scruggs was preparing to be the Texans’ starting center—his natural position—before suffering a hamstring injury in the final preseason game that caused him to miss the first 11 weeks. He was moved to left guard upon returning following Tytus Howard’s season-ending injury to give them the most favorable starting five-man lineup.

He was again moved to left guard in 2024 after starting the first nine games at center, as the Texans adjusted for their most optimal lineup following Kenyon Green being placed on injured reserve.

Fractured his L3 vertebrae in a serious car accident (ejected out of the driver’s side window) during his time at Penn State in 2019 (in a back brace for eight months)

He has a start against Brian Flores’ defense—relevant given the NFC North landscape—and a start against the Packers, both at center in 2024

Hospitality Management Degree: “I think it’d be cool to open up a restaurant and run a restaurant. That’d be my thing to do outside of football.”

Conclusion

This season should provide the best environment for his growth, and with a strong foundational year in 2026, he could eventually develop into a plus starter at center.

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