This past weekend, the Detroit Lions hosted their three-day rookie minicamp. Rookie minicamp is the first chance for reporters to see Detroit’s rookies added through the draft and undrafted free agency on an NFL practice field. Though no grand conclusions can be taken away from practices in shorts and t-shirts, there are a few baseline observations to take note of.

One of which is second-round pick Tate Ratledge being cross-trained at center. Ratledge enters the NFL following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Georgia as a right guard. That said, he has played center in the past, which is part of the reason why general manager Brad Holmes told the media they would be cross-training him at center following the draft.

While Ratledge won’t usurp All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, if he has a good training camp and preseason, he could become the Lions’ backup center over veteran guard Graham Glasgow.

Lions Get First Look at Tate Ratledge’s Versatility During Rookie Minicamp

Last Friday, the 24-year-old took his first-ever snaps at center. Therefore, there were bound to be both positives and negatives in his game. According to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, Ratledge’s snaps seemed fine, but in the run game, he came out of his stance high at times.

“His snapping seemed fine, though admittedly, my focus was on how Ratledge came out of his stance after snapping. Ratledge is every bit of 6-foot-6 and that proved too high in the run game at times.”Jeff Risdon

Hearing that there didn’t seem to be a problem with his snaps is a good sign. In spite of how easy snapping a football may look, it’s not an easy job. As a result, some football fans have witnessed centers rolling snaps back to the quarterback or having other miscues with the quarterback. So, Ratledge, seemingly having a clean snapping say his first day on the job is impressive.

Following minicamp, Ratledge reflected on returning to center, saying, “You have to say a lot more,. You have to know the safety rotations and stuff like that. At guard, most of the time you’re listening for the center to tell you where to go. At center, you’re telling everyone else where to go.”

Despite being the main center during minicamp, Ratledge’s goal is to find his way into the starting lineup at guard as a rookie. If he is able to achieve this as well as keep improving as a backup center, Detroit will have another successful pick among its offensive line and will officially put a veteran on thin ice.