The Detroit Lions had plenty of options when they went on the clock with the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Lions needed help in the secondary, but also needed an edge rusher to team with Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit also had the chance to go with the “best player available” option, but ultimately decided on Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.
The pick was criticized by some who wanted Detroit to stop the fall of Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Others thought it was a reach, projecting Williams as a second or third-round pick. But it appears that Williams has made a positive impression with his new coaches, and it comes just one week after he arrived in Detroit.
Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard Endorses First-Round Pick Tyleik Williams
SI’s Christian Booher documented the Lions' thought process that brought Williams to Detroit and revealed that it started when he came to town for a pre-draft visit. Williams met the coaching staff during his tour of the team facility, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard gave the 22-year-old a resounding endorsement.
“The tape speaks for itself,” Sheppard said. “Anybody with eyes can turn on the tape and see this is a good player. But here, what [general manager Brad Holmes] and everyone in the front office have done a tremendous job of is not only evaluating the player, but the person as well. When you talk about the culture of the team and bringing a player into this culture, they have to fit. That’s not just the player, that’s the person.”
Williams, the player should have no problem fitting in with his new team. He didn’t have elite production with 46 total tackles and 2.5 sacks, but excels in stopping the run, an area where the Lions allowed 4.5 yards per carry – the 11th-highest clip in the NFL last season. Williams will also have an opportunity to crack the rotation with Alim McNeil recovering from a torn ACL and DJ Reader currently holding the starting role.
While Williams played the three-tech for most of his career at Ohio State, Sheppard acknowledged the key will be finding a way to use him along the defensive line and putting him in a position to succeed.
"Being able to find that sweet spot where it’s not too good of an individual, especially at the defensive line position. They have that edge, but they’re a true genuine human being and Tyleik checked every box when you start going down that list of things that you’re looking for. I told him a week ago, [when] we had him on a visit. I said, ‘You’re my guy. But I don’t know, I can’t promise you it’s gonna happen.’ That’s what we were talking about. How everything happened, he was meant to be a Lion. I believe that."Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard
The Lions are happy that Williams is in Detroit, and the young defender seems to be just as fired up for the opportunity. It’s an addition to some depth that the Lions hope can prevent last season’s issues with 13 players on season-ending injured reserve and lead Detroit to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.