Detroit made what was arguably its most significant offseason move by using a first-round pick in the NFL Draft to select Tyleik Williams. He joined a defensive tackle group that already included Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Mekhi Wingo, and Brodric Martin—all under contract. Still, the Lions weren’t satisfied with their depth. They went on to add more players on one-year contracts. Among them, Raequan Williams earned a deal after impressing during a rookie minicamp tryout. Meanwhile, Domata Peko remains unsigned in free agency, and Jonah Williams has moved on, signing with the Saints.
Building the Defensive Line
Since Brad Holmes took over as general manager and Dan Campbell became head coach, the Lions have experimented with various defensive front alignments. Despite those changes, they’ve consistently kept a steady number of interior defensive linemen on the roster.
Here’s a breakdown of how that position group has evolved over the last four seasons:
- 2021: The Lions utilized a three-man interior front in a two-gapping scheme. They started and finished the year with seven interior linemen, including three who were versatile enough to play multiple roles.
- 2022: A shift to a 4-3 defense saw the team cut back to five interior players, one of whom was a hybrid. That number remained constant through the season.
- 2023: Sticking with the same formula, the Lions opened and closed the year with five defensive tackles.
- 2024: Once again, Detroit maintained five players at the position, including two with hybrid capabilities.
The Lions favor a “gap-and-a-half” defensive approach that emphasizes stopping the run while leveraging their linemen’s versatility. In their base defense, they typically deploy a traditional 3-technique and nose tackle alongside their edge rushers. When a SAM linebacker is on the field, they often shift the nose tackle inward and move a defensive end into the 4i position. This is where hybrid linemen like Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo come into play, as well as ends capable of sliding inside when needed.
