The Detroit Lions have been waiting years for defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike to reach his potential. The 2026 campaign, though, could be Onwuzurike’s very last one with the Lions if he doesn’t begin reaching that potential.
His departure from Detroit could even possibly happen before that. For that reason, minicamp could be very crucial for the 28-year-old.
On Sunday, SI on Lions’ Emmett Matasovsky called Onwuzurike the one Lions player who has to step up at minicamp.
“For one player in particular, this upcoming week will be crucial. Levi Onwuzurike faces the pressure of making a great impression on the staff,” wrote Matasovsky.
“Onwuzurike enters minicamp closer to the roster bubble than what some might think for a former second-round pick.
“In order to remain in that Detroit locker room, the pressure is on him to prove he is fully healthy, 11 months after his ACL repair, and that he can form a promising trio with McNeill and Williams.”
What Will Levi Onwuzurike Show at Lions Minicamp?
GettyFormer second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike faces a critical minicamp entering the 2026 NFL season.
In 42 NFL games, Onwuzurike has registered just 3.5 sacks with four tackles for loss. The lineman has remained on the Lions, though, and has even signed a new contract since the team drafted him in the second round.
Detroit picked Onwuzurike at No. 41 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The team, though, could be done waiting, which is what makes Detroit’s minicamp from June 16-17 so crucial.
Injuries have been a major reason why Onwuzurike has failed to fulfill his draft expectations. Last season, he missed the entire campaign because of a torn ACL.
But injuries aside, it appears to be put up or shut up time in Detroit for the defensive lineman. And based on how offseason workouts have gone, Onwuruzike might have to outshine his competition just to get back his old role.
“The defensive tackle now faces competition from Tyler Lacy, Skyler Gill-Howard and Aidan Keanaaina, along with a few others. This competition likely is for the third defensive tackle spot, as Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill are the expected starters on the interior of the defensive line,” wrote Matasovsky.
“Detroit Lions On SI spotted Lacy taking reps over Onwuzurike during OTAs, and that is not a good sign for the defensive tackle.”
Lions Interior Defensive Line Depth at 2026 Minicamp
Detroit lost some interior defensive line depth this past offseason. Starter D.J. Reader departed to sign with the New York Giants. Additionally, depth defensive tackle Roy Lopez left to join the Arizona Cardinals.
Still, Onwuzurike isn’t guaranteed to make the Lions 53-man roster.
Pundits expect 2025 first-rounder Tyleik Williams to take a major step and start next to Alim McNeill along the Lions defensive line interior. As Matasovsky mentioned, the Lions also added interior linemen Jay Tufele, Skyler Gill-Howard and Aidan Keanaaina this offseason.
Furthermore, the Lions still have Mekhi Wingo, Chris Smith and Myles Adams on their offseason roster at defensive tackle.
If Onwuzurike isn’t significantly better than that depth, he’s a cut candidate because of his contract.
“Onwuzurike would be an expensive piece to keep as the fourth defensive tackle, as his per-game salary can increase his pay from his guaranteed $1.21 million to the aforementioned $5.5 million,” wrote Matasovsky.
All of this makes minicamp as critical for Onwuzurike as any Lions player on the roster.
Lions Former 2nd-Round Pick Gets Put on Notice Entering Minicamp