The Detroit Lions had several options during Thursday's first round of the NFL Draft. Many hoped to see the team address it edge rusher situation, especially with the 2025 class being deep, but several big names also fell the Lions when they were on the clock at No. 28.
Yet, the Lions threw fans a curveball by selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. The former Buckeyes standout will bring instant size inside for a Detroit defense that should dominate against the run, as he measured 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds at the combine.
Though Williams gives this unit a building block for the long-term future, it could also lead to the exit of one current veteran.
DJ Reader's Lions Future Up in the Air After 1st-Round Pick
Veteran nose tackle DJ Reader was already entering the 2025 campaign with a bit of uncertainty. He's set to become a free agent after the season, and he'll be 31 years old by the time next playoffs roll around, so his lengthy career is much closer to the end than its beginning.
But complicating matters even more is the fact Reader's contract provides a potential out the Lions could still explore this offseason. Designating him as a post-June 1 cut would leave a dead cap hit around $5.2 million but save Detroit almost $7.7 million as well, per Over the Cap.
Reader's set to cost a little over $12.9 million against the cap this upcoming season. Though he set a career best in sacks this past year, it was still only 3.0. His meager 23 tackles over 15 games also left a ton to be desired for a guy getting paid like that.
The Lions' books are becoming even heavier as young talents like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta look to follow the footsteps of Jared Goff, Kerby Joseph and Amon-Ra St. Brown and get paid.
That makes maximizing every bit of cap space essential, so bringing in Williams on a favorable rookie deal could serve as the impetus for sending Reader packing in favor of some savings.