Heading into the bye week, Detroit Lions fans must be feeling pretty good about their team's performance through the first seven weeks of the season. Despite dealing with significant injuries, the defensive unit has punched above its weight, and the offense has bounced back after a slow start and is now looking as dynamic as ever. With the extra week of rest helping them get healthier, the Lions are a good bet to look even better in the second half of the season.
One area that could use some improvement is rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams' performance. Detroit's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was thrust into a larger role to start the season in Alim McNeill's absence, but hasn't exactly lived up to expectations.
Tyleik Williams Is Off to a Slow Start to Lions Career
The fact that the Lions had McNeill start and play as many defensive snaps as he could handle after a nine-month absence in Week 7 speaks volumes about Williams' performance. Immediately upon McNeill's return from a torn ACL, Williams' snaps were reduced to 21, while the veteran defensive lineman played 45 snaps, more than Williams played in any game this season.
Obviously, comparing a 22-year-old rookie to a veteran who secured a four-year, $97 million contract last year is not entirely fair. Nobody expects Williams to contribute at that level right away. At the same time, the lack of impact and playmaking from the rookie is certainly concerning.
In 205 defensive snaps, Williams had four total tackles (only one solo) and one QB hit, and no other box score stat. Per Pro Football Focus, he has generated nine hurries in total, and received a 53.6 defensive, 44.7 run defense, and 64.6 pass rush grades. This puts him as the 91st-best defensive tackle in the NFL out of 124 eligible players.
PFF grades are obviously not the be-all and end-all. They can be quite misleading as they don't take into account the defensive scheme and what the coaching staff is asking of specific players. However, one would hope that a first-round pick would be able to make more plays, regardless of the situation.
Williams wasn't necessarily projected to be a first-rounder in the draft. As GM Brad Holmes is known to do, he reached for the player he thought had the best upside and fit. So far, this gamble hasn't worked out. One positive to take away from it, however, is the fact that Williams had his best game of the season against the Bucs. Perhaps McNeill's return and a smaller role within the defense will be able to unlock another level for the Ohio State product.