The Detroit Lions bolstered the trenches with their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking former Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at No. 28 overall.
Williams was considered a Day 2 guy, but the Lions believed he could help them immediately in the middle of their defensive line, playing alongside Alim McNeil. The rookie defensive tackle is already looking forward to playing with McNeill this upcoming season.
"I think me and him together will gel well and we’ll make a lot of plays," Williams said. McNeil saw this comment and posted on Twitter/X, “Let’s get active fam."
Let’s get active fam https://t.co/EAQDgYJjgo
— Alim McNeill (@AlimMcneill) April 25, 2025
Williams isn’t a sack machine, despite having 18 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks over the last two years at Ohio State. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound defender is a true nose tackle with the size and strength to command double teams.
Williams could be a good replacement for D.J. Reader, who is entering the last year of his deal, but for now, the idea of the rookie playing beside a healthy McNeill could help the Lions’ d-line tremendously.
McNeill is currently rehabbing from a torn ACL that he suffered in mid-December. At the NFL’s annual spring meeting earlier this month, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that McNeill could miss the start of the 2025 regular season.
Last season, McNeill had 43 quarterback pressures, seven quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 14 games. If the Lions expect McNeill not to be on the field when the season kicks off in September, it could open up more snaps for Levi Onwuzurike.
However, that still means Reader and Williams will have to do a good job clogging the middle of the Lions’ defensive line and commanding those double teams, which will let the other guys on the line wreak havoc.
The Lions started the NFL draft on a good note with the selection of Williams. Let’s see what else they can do over the next two days to solidify their 90-man roster.