Pundits have continued to link the Detroit Lions to potential interior defensive line upgrades, mostly in NFL free agency. The Lions, though, appear to have confidence that second-year lineman Tyleik Williams is ready to emerge in a bigger role.
Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker sees that happening as well.
This week, Locker named breakout players for every position group for his 2026 NFL all-breakout team. As one of his choices at interior defensive line, Locker picked Williams.
“In addition to Nolen, there are at least four other worthwhile candidates to improve from last year’s interior defender crop. Williams may have the best track of any,” wrote Locker.
“Williams settled in nicely to Detroit’s defensive line rotation, playing to a 68.2 PFF pass-rush grade on 446 total snaps. That effort against the pass is particularly encouraging considering his poor performance in that area in his final two collegiate seasons.
“Somewhat perplexingly, Williams wasn’t effective against the run with a 5% run stop rate in 2025. But given his elite 88.6 PFF run-defense mark at Ohio State in 2024, expect an uptick in that category. Ultimately, the Lions not re-signing D.J. Reader indicates that the team is comfortable giving Williams an augmented role in his second year.”
The Lions selected Williams at No. 28 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he started 10 of 17 contests.
Overall, he had 18 combined tackles, including two for loss. He also had four pass defenses, three quarterback hits and a sack.
Lions’ Tyleik Williams Projected to Break Out During 2026 NFL Season
Williams played 446 defensive snaps as a rookie. That was only 40% of the team’s snaps on defense during last season.
In 17 games, he averaged about 26 defensive snaps per game.
But the Lions didn’t bring back D.J. Reader in NFL free agency this offseason. After being available for several weeks, Reader signed with the New York Giants.
Without Reader, pundits expect Williams to start every game next to Alim McNeill in the middle of Detroit’s defensive front. Based on potential, the two could be a lethal duo.
“Drain-clogging run defender with violent first contact and nimble feet for impressive tackle production. Williams flashes an ability to play through or around the block,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in Williams’ draft profile last spring. “He physically dominates man-on-man matchups but inconsistent pad level and shorter arms hinder his double-team take-ons.
“The knock-back pop and ability to eat up runners in his general vicinity could help him become an impactful, run-stuffing three-technique.”
Lions Defensive Line Depth Entering 2026 NFL Offseason Workouts
While the Lions lost Reader, the team will have a lot of bodies along the defensive line at offseason workouts this spring.
Including Williams, Detroit has 12 defensive linemen on its offseason roster. Besides Williams and McNeill, those players include Myles Adams, Skyler Gill-Howard, Aidan Keanaaina, Tyler Lacy, Levi Onwuzurike, Melvin Priestly, Chris Smith, Jay Tufele, Tyre West and Mekhi Wingo.
Gill-Howard, Keanaaina, Priestly and West are all rookies. The Lions selected Gill-Howard and West on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Keanaaina and Priestly joined the club as undrafted free agents.
The Lions didn’t have a rookie minicamp this year, so those four rookies will be on the field for the first time with the veterans at offseason workouts. Detroit’s next organized practice will be on May 27.
The team’s mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 16-17.
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