The transition from college football to the NFL can be a difficult transition for any rookie to make, and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has learned that lesson during the 2025 campaign, as the first-round pick out of Ohio State University has dealt with his fair share of ups and downs since arriving in the Motor City.
Williams has, like any top pick is expected to do, matured throughout his first season as a professional, and that has him finding his stride at the perfect time for the Lions. This has been evident in several ways over the last three games, as, from a production standpoint alone, Williams has significantly upped his performance, having recorded nearly half of his run stops on the season (9) during that stretch (4).
The advanced statistics back this train of thought up as well. In examining his play over the last three games, via Pro Football Focus, Williams has recorded the best stretch of his young career, and that has lined up with an uptick in his usage. This is no coincidence and must be something that head coach Dan Campbell, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, and the coaching staff are cognizant of moving forward.
Lions Must Unleash Tyleik Williams After Thanksgiving Day Performance
While the play of Williams over this stretch of games has spoken for itself, it is fair to question what more he is capable of, given the slightly limited snap share he continues to receive. In Detroit's 31-24 loss to Green Bay on Thursday, Williams had a snap share of 54%, his sixth-highest on the season.
There is little reason not to give Williams more of a look along the defensive front, given the level he is performing at. Not only does it stunt the growth of a rookie who should be a centerpiece on the defensive line for years to come, but it also hurts the rest of the roster, as the Lions need to win now, and Williams can contribute to those efforts more than he is being allowed to at this time.
One of the reasons why Williams hasn't been fully unleashed is the play of Roy Lopez. The veteran offseason addition has performed quite well for Detroit this season, but there is just little reason for him to continue to receive such a large chunk of the snap share. Lopez averages 34.9%, and the rookie is now rounding into form. This isn't to suggest that Lopez should be removed from the rotation altogether; he has earned the opportunity to see the field with his play, but that snap share could go down in an effort to get Williams a bit more run on defense.
The fact that Lopez is coming off what is arguably his worst performance of the season in Detroit's loss to Green Bay should only make this an easier decision for Campbell, Sheppard, and the brain trust in the Motor City.