Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill came into his own this past season in his third year. He dedicated himself last offseason to improving flexibility and trimming body fat and the result was a quicker and more explosive McNeill. He set career marks in sacks and quarterback hits and played a big part in Detroit's No. 2 ranked run defense.
McNeill and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson were Detroit's top two defenders upfront last season. The Lions could be on the lookout this offseason to give both players a running mate to complement their skillsets.
Benito Jones played in all 17 games and made 15 starts next to McNeill and contributed 26 tackles and a sack. Jones is a restricted free agent. Tyson Alualu was a late-season add and is also an unrestricted free agent.
How big of a step will last year's third-round pick Brodric Martin take in Year 2? The Lions are expecting him to be a contributor.
This isn't a loaded class of interior defenders, but there's some versatility and a few immediate impact players.
Top 5 defensive tackles to watch at the Combine:
1. Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois, 6-2, 300
Newton has a really nice toolbox of pass-rush moves for an interior defender. He can win a lot of different ways and has the skillset to be a three-down player along the interior. He might have some of the best hands of any defensive lineman in this draft. He recorded 13.0 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss the last two seasons combined for the Illini.
View photos of the defensive line prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Southern California defensive end Solomon Byrd (51) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser (9) follows Central Florida quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
American defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy of Mississippi State (98) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis (13) is blocked by Syracuse offensive lineman J'Onre Reed (50) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Oregon defensive end Brandon Dorlus plays against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (92) reacts after tackling Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half of the Rose Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss (83) sacks Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Florida State's Braden Fiske sacks North Alabama quarterback Noah Walters during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Baylor defensive lineman Gabe Hall (95) works against Central Florida offensive lineman Marcellus Marshall (72) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan defensive end Jaylen Harrell rushes the quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
American defensive lineman Marcus Harris of Auburn (50) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) rushes against Indiana tight end Bradley Archer (82) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Washington State defensive end Brennan Jackson against California during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (3) reacts after tackling Mississippi State quarterback Chris Parson during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Stanford quarterback Justin Lamson runs against Notre Dame defensive lineman Javontae Jean-Baptiste (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Arkansas defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat (7) reacts after a big play against BYU during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
American defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson of LSU (99) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) applies pressure against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Mississippi defensive lineman Cedric Johnson (2) looks towards LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Colorado State defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara runs during a play in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Mississippi State running back Keyvone Lee (24) runs upfield against Western Michigan defensive linemen Marshawn Kneeland (99) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State won 41-28. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee (85) gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-16. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
East's Zion Logue, of Georgia, pursues the play during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Florida State defensive lineman Fabien Lovett pushes past the LSU offense during the second half of an NCAA college football game Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Michigan defensive end Braiden McGregor (17) plays against Rutgers in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II reacts after collecting a sack against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina defensive lineman Myles Murphy (8) tries to tackle Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charlotte defensive lineman Eyabi Okie-Anoma plays against Georgia State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) plays against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. plays around the line of scrimmage during an NCAA college football game against Florida Atlantic Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) and Auburn defensive lineman Justin Rogers (52) dive for a loose ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) rushes off the line during an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. LSU won 42-30. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Troy linebacker Javon Solomon (6) celebrates a sack against Arkansas State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III (56) during an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas (3) rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Washington defensive end Bralen Trice (8) looks towards Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Houston defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu (12) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) works against Syracuse offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. (70) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut's Eric Watts (95) rushes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (18) celebrates his sack of Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
2. Byron Murphy II, Texas, 6-1, 308
Murphy is an explosive and nimble-footed interior defender who plays with terrific strength and leverage. He's strong against the run but also has the first-step quickness to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. He notched 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss for the Longhorns this past season.
3. T'Vondre Sweat, Texas, 6-4, 362
Sweat is a mountain of a man inside who has the ability to eat up space and allow teammates around him to operate more freely. He has more athleticism than people might think for a player his size with a couple sacks and eight tackles for loss to his credit last season.
4. Kris Jenkins Jr., Michigan, 6-3, 305
Jenkins is a versatile defender with the ability to play inside and outside. He is expected to test very well in Indy. He comes from good football bloodlines with his dad, Kris Jenkins Sr., being a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Carolina. Jenkins is a physical freak that some teams will view as a prospect who can play up and down the line.
5. Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State, 6-2, 280
There's a lot of upside to Hall's game having only started 11 games for the Buckeyes. He tallied 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks while in Columbus. He's got quick feet and plays fast and hard.
Combine sleeper to watch: Braden Fiske, Florida State, 6-5, 295
Fiske started 30 games for Western Michigan before transferring to Florida State. He started all 13 games for the Seminoles this past season and was second-team All-ACC with six sacks and 28 quarterback pressures from the interior. He packs a punch with a motor that never quits.
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (78) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 15-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) gets set during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Michigan offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart (52) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Utah offensive lineman Keaton Bills (51) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
National offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini of Wisconsin (63) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) blocks while quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) takes the snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU offensive lineman Andrew Coker defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (77) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
National offensive lineman Ethan Driskell of Marshall (52) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun of Florida (65) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
East's Khalid Duke, of Kansas State, and West's Josiah Ezirim, of Eastern Kentucky, face off during the the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Penn State offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (55) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Notre Dame's Blake Fisher (54) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Kentucky offensive lineman Jeremy Flax (77) plays against Ball State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
West Virginia's Zach Frazier (54) is seen against Texas Tech during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Maryland offensive lineman Delmar Glaze (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Pittsburgh's Matt Goncalves (76) blocks during an NCAA football game against West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Central Florida offensive lineman Tylan Grable (71) blocks against Baylor defensive lineman TJ Franklin, left, during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
West's Garret Greenfield, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
West's CJ Hanson, of Holy Cross, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson (73) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas' Christian Jones (70) blocks against Louisiana-Lafayette during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Ohio State offensive lineman Matthew Jones plays during their NCAA college football Spring game Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan offensive lineman Trente Jones looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (77) blocks against the East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Southern California offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston (52) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arkansas offensive lineman Brady Latham (62) blocks Mississippi State linebacker J.P. Purvis (26) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham (65) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Utah offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea (78) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
West's Matt Lee, of Miami, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas State offensive lineman KT Leveston (70) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Arkansas offensive lineman Beaux Limmer (55) runs a play against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
West's Mason McCormick, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Dylan McMahon (54) prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) is shown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Duke offensive lineman Jacob Monk (63) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
East's Hunter Nourzad, of Penn State, defends against the rush during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Drake Nugent (60) blocks against UNLV in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul (76) lines up against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
East's Julian Pearl, of Illinois, jogs off the field during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
National offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Kansas won 28-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
American offensive lineman Andrew Raym of Oklahoma (73) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Layden Robinson (64) blocks against Sam Houston State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Washington offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten (73) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
East's Walter Rouse, of Oklahoma, defends at the line of scrimmage during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Michigan State center Nick Samac celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, left, defends against Texas Tech defensive lineman E'Maurion Banks (98) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Louisiana offensive lineman Nathan Thomas (50) gets into his stance for a snap during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
LSU offensive lineman Charles Turner III (69) signals on the line during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) blocks for quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions' need at the position: Moderate
The Lions value versatile defensive linemen that can play multiple spots. Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and John Cominsky can also play inside in some packages for example, but getting a true interior defender to pair with McNeill and also add some pass-rush prowess could go a long way to making Detroit's defensive front a much more consistently disruptive unit.
Martin is hoping to take a big step in his development, and former second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike has one year left on his rookie deal to prove he's past the injuries and can dependably contribute. Still, there's room to add to the interior of the defensive front.
Key stat: The Lions only allowed 100-or-more rushing yards in five games this season. This led the NFL and ranked second in franchise history in any season since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. Detroit only surrendered five rushes of 20-or-more yards, tied for the second fewest in the NFL.
