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NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle options for Detroit Lions

By Jonathan LeBlanc

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Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC

Oct 25, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; USC Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) between plays during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

When you talk about the top dog at defensive tackle for the draft, you can’t leave Williams out of the discussion.

The 6-5, 302 pound monster rules this years defensive tackle class pretty well, posting 80 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles in 2014 for USC.

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    • Williams is a hybrid defensive linemen, lining up both inside at defensive tackle and outside at defensive end.  He’s able to break through the line on pure speed and power, and great breakthrough the offensive line with ease.

    His explosiveness, power and speed are what makes him so great and deemed the best defensive tackle in the draft.  Overall, his physical ability is outstanding and definitely can succeed at the pro level.

    He’s still raw when it comes to the mechanics of the game, but those could be worked out under good defensive coaching.  Fortunately for the Lions, they happen to have one of the best defensive coordinators in football in Teryl Austin, and have a great defensive line coach in Jim Washburn.

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    • Unfortunately, the likelihood of the Lions picking Williams is little to none.

    Williams is a top 10 talent that probably won’t even make it out of the top 5.  Outside of Tampa at number one, the rest of the teams in the top 5 (Tennessee, Jacksonville, Oakland and Washington), could all use Williams services.

    Though the Titans have rumored to be willing to trade back in the draft, their confidence in Zach Mettenberger shows that if they stay put with the second pick, they’ll most likely draft Williams.  Even if he drops past Tennessee, the rest of the field in the top 10 are sure to draft him without hesitation.

    The Lions could trade up to the second pick to get the best defensive lineman in the draft and would solve both their defensive tackle for the future problem, and add depth to the defensive end position with the recent trade of George Johnson to Tampa Bay leaving a hole at the end.

    This probably won’t happen but still, a person can dream right?

    Don’t think the defensive tackle of the future for the Detroit Lions is on this list?  Share your opinion in the comment section below or argue with me on Twitter @JLeBlanc_21

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