One of the deepest and most talented position groups in this year's NFL Draft is the interior defensive line class.
"I can say all across the board I'm seeing positions – like, interior defensive linemen, I think is a strong class," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said this offseason. "That was exhibited down at the Senior Bowl, and that's not even counting the players that weren't invited down there."
It's a versatile group of interior defenders with position versatility and skill sets for every type of NFL scheme. Teams looking for help along their defensive line will find it deep into this draft.
Interior defensive line class draft strength: Elite talent at the top. Players like Jordan Davis (Georgia), Devonte Wyatt (Georgia), Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) and Travis Jones (Connecticut) have a chance to come in right away and be big-time contributors in the middle of an NFL defense.
Lions' interior defensive line depth chart: Michael Brockers, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, John Penisini, Jashon Cornell, Bruce Hector, Eric Banks.
Lions' interior defensive line draft priority: Low. The Lions are switching to more of a 4-3 base look that will allow them to go a little bigger upfront and utilize the talents of Brockers, McNeill and Onwuzurike more. Penisini is an underrated rotational player upfront, which gives the Lions four solid options along their interior, with Brockers and Onwuzurike able to potentially play out wide some as well.
It's always hard to find athletic big men, so if the player and the draft slot fit, I can see Holmes adding to the group, but they spent a second and third-round pick to shore up that spot in last year's draft, and the Lions have more pressing needs this year.
View photos of the top interior defensive linemen prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
FILE - Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) is shown in action against Charleston Southern in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Davis was selected to The Associated Press All-SEC team in results released Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) shown in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia's Devonte Wyatt hits Alabama's Bryce Young as he throws during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey (8) battles TCU offensive tackle T.J. Storment (72) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Oklahoma defensive end Reggie Grimes (14) and defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey (8) tackle Western Carolina quarterback Rogan Wells (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) works against Florida offensive lineman Jean Delance (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) tackles Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
National Team defensive lineman Travis Jones of Connecticut (57) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Fresno State quaterback Logan Fife, left, is chased down by Connecticut defensive lineman Travis Jones during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (5) works against Notre Dame offensive lineman Josh Lugg (75) during the first half of the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike reacts after sacking Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 38-31. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Five interior defensive linemen who could fit the Lions:
(40-yard dash times are from Combine and Pro Day workouts as available.)
1. Jordan Davis, Georgia:
6-6, 341. 4.78 40-yard dash.
Davis put on a show both in leading the Bulldogs to the national championship and then dominating the NFL Scouting Combine. A 341-pound man with his kind of strength isn't supposed to run in the 4.7 range. To put that in a little bit of perspective, only four quarterbacks ran faster than Davis at the Combine. He recorded seven sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in four seasons at Georgia, and should be a force in the middle right away in the NFL.
2. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia:
6-3, 304. 4.77 40-yard dash.
Wyatt and Davis were a formidable duo in the center of Georgia's defense this past season. Wyatt led all Georgia defensive linemen in tackles the last two seasons and enjoyed his most complete season in 2021 with 39 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He's quick off the ball, with good range, speed and a motor that doesn't quit. He's not going to record a lot of sacks, but he'll play on the other side of the line of scrimmage a lot.
3. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma:
6-4, 290. 4.89 40-yard dash.
Winfrey was the MVP of the Senior Bowl game, and was one of the top defensive performers during the week as well. His Wednesday practice in Mobile was about as dominant a performance as I've seen in a single practice at the Senior Bowl. He recorded 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks for the Sooners in 2021. He has a 84 3/4 wing span, which is incredible, and over 40 percent of his tackles occurred in the opponent backfield.
4. Travis Jones, Connecticut:
6-4, 325. 4.92 40-yard dash.
A really strong player who uses that strength and strong hands to stack and shed blocks, and get himself into gaps. He notched 47 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks this past season for the Huskies. He's still a work in progress as a pass rusher, but he could make an early impact as a two-gapper in the NFL.
View photos from the community celebration downtown to commemorate the awarding of the 2024 NFL Draft to Detroit.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit 2024 NFL Draft Countdown Clock during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders and Detroit Lions Drumline perform during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Fans greet Detroit Lions Mascot Roary during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit 2024 NFL Draft Countdown Clock during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Mascot Roary and DJ Ray during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Fans greet Detroit Lions Mascot Roary during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Charles Davis speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Mascot Roary and Detroit Lions Cheerleaders during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari & Downtown Detroit Partnership CEO Eric Larson unveil the NFL Draft Countdown Clock with the help of kids from the Boys and Girls Club during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
DJ Ray during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Drumline during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist speaks during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders and Detroit Lions Drumline perform during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Fans meet Detroit Legend Lomas Brown (75) and Detroit Legend Jason Hanson (4) during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Fans during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
Fans during an event to celebrate the NFL Draft coming to Detroit in 2024 at Campus Martius in Detroit, MI on April 14, 2022. (Mike Ferdinande/Detroit Lions)
5. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama:
6-4, 310.
Mathis is a terrific athlete with size, length and power. He's really strong against the run, and chipped in nine sacks for the Crimson Tide defense in 2021, which were the second most on the team. He's a gap penetrator and can be a disruptive player in the middle of a defense. He'll find a quick role in the NFL because of his power and position versatility.
Sleeper: Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State:
6-6, 316. 5.32 40-yard dash.
The length, wing span and power are an impressive combination with Uwazurike. Pad level will always be an issue because of his height, but he was a four-year starter in college and racked up some impressive numbers with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season. He finished third in school history with 34.5 tackles for loss. He got position flexibility and could be an excellent Day 3 pickup.
