17927382-standard.jpg

Lions offensive lineman Manny Ramirez was working with the first unit during OTAs on Wednesday, ahead of first-round pick Laken Tomlinson.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions could start four early-round picks on their offensive line next season.

Unless Manny Ramirez crashes the party.

Much of the offseason hype has centered on Laken Tomlinson, the Duke guard whom Detroit selected after trading back in the first round of the NFL draft. But the club also picked up Ramirez in that deal with Denver.

And it was Ramirez who opened OTAs this week working with the first unit at left guard. Tomlinson was on the second team.

"He's a guy that's certainly going to add some girth and power and experience in the (interior)," coach Jim Caldwell said. "But also, you can just tell from a leadership standpoint, I mean, he's tremendous. Real solid guy, just a person that's well-rounded, has a good sense of what being a real pro is.

"I think you'll some of that wear off on some of our younger guys."

Ramirez said he's embracing that role of the elder statesman in what is otherwise a youthful offensive room. Riley Reiff, at 26 years old, is the next most tenured player.

The Lions could potentially start the fourth-year Reiff at left tackle, the first-year Tomlinson at left guard, the second-year Travis Swanson at center, the third-year Larry Warford at right guard and the third-year LaAdrian Waddle at right tackle.

That projects as the second-youngest starting offensive line in the league. So a player as grizzled as Ramirez is a valuable addition, even if he can't beat out Tomlinson or Swanson for jobs on the interior.

But Ramirez isn't satisfied with just assuming a backseat to the young pups. He intends to prove he is one of the Lions' five best offensive lineman, and squeeze his way into the lineup. How does he go about doing that?

"Focusing in on what I need to focus on, especially with technique," Ramirez said. "I haven't really played left side since I left (Detroit in 2011), but it's all just about putting in the work, like usual. Keep my head down and continue to work, no matter what. Getting that relationship with the guys next to me, and just building that core. Making sure we're a strong five."

Ramirez played guard while with the Lions from 2007-10, but transitioned to center in recent years with Denver, including starting a Super Bowl there. He said the staff hasn't had him take reps at center in practice yet, but that he's doing so on his own with quarterbacks before workouts to stay sharp.

Some would say something went wrong if the 32-year-old beat out either Tomlinson at left guard, or Swanson, a third-round pick last year, at center.

But he's not concerned with that. He just wants to play.

"I can't worry about that," he said. "I can only worry about myself, and what I can control. And that's the work I put in, and do what they ask me to do at the highest level I can."

Detroit Lions 2015 OTAs - May 27, 2015 40 Gallery: Detroit Lions 2015 OTAs - May 27, 2015

-- Download the Detroit Lions MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Kyle Meinke on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Lions Facebook page