Detroit Lions 2026 Player Profile: Cade Mays
· Yahoo Sports
As my Detroit Lions player profile series continues, the focus now shifts to the team’s projected starting center, Cade Mays.
With three offensive linemen already covered, only two remain, and Mays is one of just two players locked into a starting role entering training camp.
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Detroit moved on from longtime offensive lineman Graham Glasgow this offseason after an underwhelming year replacing retired All-Pro Frank Ragnow. Filling Ragnow’s shoes was always going to be a difficult task, and Glasgow never found the consistency the Lions were hoping for. His release left a significant void at center, prompting Detroit to sign Mays to a three-year, $25 million contract in March. The deal includes $14 million guaranteed at signing, a $6.48 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $8.33 million.
Mays spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During his time in Carolina, he appeared in 52 games with 27 starts, showing the versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line before settling in at center.
College career
Mays played 43 games over four collegiate seasons between Georgia and Tennessee. He spent his first two seasons with the Bulldogs before transferring to Tennessee, where he became one of the SEC’s top offensive linemen.
As a freshman at Georgia in 2018, Mays earned Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team honors after starting at multiple positions along the offensive line. In 2021, he anchored Tennessee’s offensive line at right tackle and earned second-team All-SEC honors after allowing just one sack all season.
Scouting report
Mays comes off the ball smoothly and consistently looks to finish blocks through the whistle. He plays with good knee bend, above-average athleticism and the balance to stay square while adjusting to pass-rush counters. He displays strong football intelligence, a physical edge and a work ethic that has been praised throughout his career.
His combination of size, length and mobility makes him a dependable pass protector, as he sets a solid base and mirrors defenders effectively. In the run game, Mays is a fundamentally sound blocker who plays with an aggressive mentality and the competitive streak NFL evaluators covet.
2025 PFF grades
Mays earned a 62.4 overall PFF grade in 2025, ranking 24th among 40 qualified centers.
His 69.4 pass-blocking grade ranked 13th at the position, while his 58.5 run-blocking grade ranked 33rd. Over 726 offensive snaps, he allowed just 11 total pressures, including zero sacks and three quarterback hits, while committing only two penalties.
2025 stats:
* 726 offensive snaps
* 429 pass-blocking snaps
* 297 run-blocking snaps
* 0 sacks allowed
* 3 quarterback hits allowed
* 11 total pressures allowed
* 2 penalties
Career production
Over 1,706 career offensive snaps, Mays has allowed just four sacks, six quarterback hits and 42 total pressures.
Although he played fewer snaps in 2024, he was even more effective. He posted a 66.1 overall PFF grade, a 74.9 pass-blocking grade that ranked sixth among qualified centers and a 66.9 run-blocking grade.
At 6-foot-6, 325 pounds and just 26 years old, Mays is entering what should be the prime of his career.
Outlook
Mays now joins one of the NFL’s premier offenses and one of the league’s best offensive lines. There is still uncertainty at left guard as Detroit sorts through its position battle, but second-year guard Tate Ratledge is firmly slotted on Mays’ right side after an impressive rookie season.
No one should expect Mays to replicate everything Ragnow brought to Detroit. Ragnow was one of the NFL’s elite centers for years. However, Mays has the talent and experience to provide a reasonable upgrade over Glasgow.
I don’t expect Mays to earn a Pro Bowl selection in his first season with Detroit, but playing alongside a much better offense than he was playing with in Carolina could elevate his production. If he performs as expected, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name enter the Pro Bowl conversation by season’s end.