Giovanni Manu Remains the Detroit Lions’ Great Unknown as the Massive Developmental Offensive Line Prospect Enters His Second NFL Season
Giovanni Manu is, in every sense of the word, a massive unknown. Both literally and figuratively. Listed at 6-foot-7 and over 350 pounds, the 2023 seventh-round pick from the University of British Columbia (yes, Canada) is a rare project player in today’s NFL. As he enters his second season with the Detroit Lions, Manu represents one of the franchise’s most intriguing wild cards—an offensive line prospect with raw tools, immense upside, and virtually no collegiate experience against American competition. That makes him the great unknown, a potentially powerful asset for a team whose foundation begins up front.
Detroit’s offensive line is widely regarded as one of the best in the NFL. Anchored by Pro Bowlers like Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, and Taylor Decker, the unit has been the bedrock of the Lions’ recent surge into playoff relevance. And yet, every year, a fresh wave of injuries, contracts, and long-term planning forces teams to dig deeper. It’s in that context where Manu becomes a fascinating figure. If he hits, the Lions may have one of the league’s biggest steals. If he doesn’t, the seventh-round pick will simply go down as a high-upside swing that didn’t connect. That’s the gamble with raw linemen. But in Manu’s case, the potential reward could be massive.
Manu was one of the most unusual players taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Canadian lineman dominated against U Sports competition, but his journey to football was nonlinear. Originally a basketball player growing up in Tonga and later in Canada, Manu didn’t pick up football until high school. His size and agility made him an immediate standout, and once he committed to the sport, his rise was rapid. By the time he declared for the draft, NFL scouts had already fallen in love with his frame, athleticism, and movement skills. The Lions, known for their strong development pipeline, took the bait.
But raw is an understatement. Manu had never played against FBS or FCS competition. His technique, footwork, and hand placement were all developmental at best. While the Lions viewed him as a stash-and-develop option, there’s little doubt they also saw a physical specimen worth investing in. Players of his size who can move the way he does simply don’t come along very often. Detroit used one of its final picks on him, likely hoping that after a full redshirt NFL year, he’d be ready to compete for a role in 2024.
That brings us to the present. Manu spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad, adjusting to the speed, technique, and physicality of the American pro game. Behind the scenes, he worked with Detroit’s coaching staff to refine his fundamentals. Reports out of Allen Park suggest that while Manu is still a ways off, the growth has been noticeable. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley—a former NFL center himself—has been instrumental in that process. Fraley’s reputation as a teacher is well-earned, and if anyone can mold a prospect like Manu, it’s him.
From a technical standpoint, Manu still needs work in nearly every area. His pass protection footwork is inconsistent, especially against speed rushers. His pad level can get too high, and his hands tend to wander instead of striking with a purpose. But there are flashes. When he gets his hands inside and sets his base, he’s nearly impossible to move. His natural power and length allow him to swallow defenders once engaged. That’s the core of the Lions’ belief in him—if they can teach him the details, the physical ceiling is enormous.
The Lions’ offensive line depth is solid but not invulnerable. Taylor Decker, the veteran left tackle, is entering the final year of his contract and has battled injuries in recent seasons. Penei Sewell is a superstar, but behind him, the backup tackle picture is murky. Matt Nelson and Dan Skipper have filled rotational roles, but neither offers the ceiling Manu might possess if he develops. That sets the stage for Manu’s true opportunity. If he can continue progressing, he could position himself as Detroit’s swing tackle of the future—or even a potential successor to Decker down the road.
What’s striking about Manu is that his situation represents a rarity in today’s NFL. The league has grown increasingly impatient with long-term projects. Roster spots are too valuable, and the learning curve from non-Power Five schools—let alone Canadian universities—is steep. Yet the Lions committed to a full development cycle with him. That tells you two things: they believe in the long-term vision, and they’re confident in their ability to nurture that growth without rushing it.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have built a team with a clear identity—tough, physical, and team-first. In many ways, Manu fits the mold. By all accounts, he’s a soft-spoken, hard-working player who’s embraced the grind. He understands he’s not there yet. But he’s shown the willingness to do the dirty work, put in the hours, and earn respect. That matters in Detroit’s locker room. There’s no entitlement allowed, especially on the offensive line, where competition is fierce and expectations are even higher.
There are parallels to be drawn between Manu and players like Jordan Mailata, the former rugby player-turned-starting left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. Like Manu, Mailata had no American football experience before entering the NFL, and he spent multiple years on the practice squad before becoming one of the best young tackles in the game. While Manu’s path may not mirror that precisely, the blueprint exists. And teams have started to recognize the value in developing unique athletes, even if the payoff isn’t immediate.
That doesn’t guarantee success, of course. The gap between raw traits and NFL execution is wide, and Manu still has much to prove. The preseason will offer his first real chance to show how far he’s come. If he can hold his own against second- and third-team defensive linemen, it could earn him a shot at the 53-man roster or at least solidify another year of development. It’s also possible that he remains a long-term stash, especially if Detroit’s depth holds up through the season.
But even if he doesn’t play a snap in 2024, Manu’s presence on the roster serves a purpose. It’s a reminder that the Lions are playing a long game. Not every pick needs to contribute immediately. Sometimes, the best moves are the ones that pay off two or three years later. And if Manu becomes even a quality backup—someone who can step in for a few games and hold the line—that’s value far beyond what most seventh-rounders ever provide.
There’s also a cultural impact at play. Manu is one of a growing number of international prospects breaking into the league through unconventional paths. His journey from Tonga to Vancouver to Detroit is remarkable in its own right. It underscores the NFL’s expanding global reach and the growing diversity of the talent pool. If he succeeds, it could open more doors for Canadian and Pacific Islander athletes who might otherwise be overlooked.
For now, Giovanni Manu remains a curiosity to most Lions fans—a name on the depth chart, a towering figure glimpsed on the sidelines during warmups, a developmental flyer whose full potential is still hidden beneath layers of refinement. But inside the walls of the Lions’ facility, he’s something more: a project worth believing in, a future puzzle piece, and maybe, just maybe, a future starter.
It will take patience. It will take coaching. And it will take Manu himself continuing to embrace the challenge. But if all the pieces align, the Lions may find that their greatest unknown on the offensive line is also one of their most valuable investments. The 2024 season won’t necessarily reveal the full answer—but it will begin to hint at whether Giovanni Manu is simply a massive mystery or something much more.
