The Detroit Lions are fighting to get back into the NFC playoff picture, and the margin for error is shrinking every week. As the team looks for the right adjustments to spark a turnaround, one of the biggest emerging solutions may be rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, whose recent surge in production is becoming impossible to ignore.
Tyleik Williams Emerging as Key Piece for Lions Defense
Williams entered the season slowly, leaving the Lions uncertain about how large of a role he should play in the second half of the year. The rise of veteran Roy Lopez also complicated the rotation, with head coach Dan Campbell considering whether Williams’ development would be better behind established linemen.
But over the last several weeks, Williams has started forcing his way onto the field with consistently strong performances — and Detroit may have no choice but to increase his snaps.
Lions Need to Capitalize on Williams’ Breakout
The interior defensive line has been a concern since last season. With Alim McNeill coming off a torn ACL and Levi Onwuzurike suffering his own ACL injury in July, Detroit leaned heavily on its first-round pick in Williams. The early returns were slow, but his recent play shows why the Lions drafted him.
According to Pride of Detroit’s Al Karsten, Williams has produced a 66.9 PFF defensive grade since Week 5, ranking:
34th among 119 qualifying defensive tackles
2nd among rookie defensive tackles
Top five among all DTs in their first two NFL seasons
Tyleik Williams’ Week-by-Week PFF Grades
Week PFF Grade Pressures Tackles
Week 1 at GB 48.7 1 2
Week 2 vs CHI 62.2 0 0
Week 3 at BAL 52.6 3 0
Week 4 vs CLE 49.0 1 0
Week 5 at CIN 68.6 2 0
Week 6 at KC 54.1 0 2
Week 7 vs TB 69.2 2 0
Week 9 vs MIN 69.6 1 2
Week 10 at WAS 52.1 0 0
Week 11 at PHI 69.0 2 4
Williams Improving Rapidly as a Pass Rusher
Williams’ biggest leap has come as a pass rusher. Karsten reports that he owns a 10.1% pass-rush win rate, outperforming even Mason Graham, the No. 5 overall pick by the Browns. He has also generated multiple pressures in three different games, including Detroit’s Week 11 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
For the season, Williams holds a 57.4 overall PFF grade, nearly catching veteran DJ Reader for the second-highest grade among Detroit interior linemen. Meanwhile, McNeill has struggled to regain his pre-injury form with a 47.4 overall grade and a 47.5 run-defense grade.
Why the Lions Must Increase Williams’ Role
Although Williams is still developing as a run defender compared to his time at Ohio State, his pass-rush impact is becoming far too valuable to overlook. As the Lions push for a playoff return, increasing Williams’ involvement could elevate the defense under first-year coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
If Detroit fully embraces Williams’ breakout, the Lions defense could take a major step forward — potentially helping them surge back into the playoff race and position themselves for a deeper postseason run.
