The interior of Detroit's defensive line got a big boost this offseason in free agency with the addition of veteran DJ Reader. He and Alim McNeill now form one of the best defensive tackle duos in the NFL right in the center of Detroit's defensive line.
The Lions are hoping Brodric Martin can take a big leap in development in Year 2 and be part of the rotation inside. They're also hoping a healthy Levi Onwuzurike can give them some production along the interior.
There is certainly room to add another player to the mix to compete for playing time and add competition to the room. We see Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and John Cominsky play inside in certain packages and we'll probably see some of that from Marcus Davenport as well.
Defensive tackle class draft strength: Depth. There isn't a sure-fire Top 10 pick like Jalen Carter last year, but overall it's not a bad class as teams are going to find impact starters well into Day 2.
Lions defensive tackle depth chart: Reader, McNeill, Martin, Onwuzurike and Chris Smith.
Lions defensive tackle draft priority: Moderate. After Reader and McNeill there are some lingering questions about the overall depth the Lions have at the position. Players like Paschal can play both inside and outside, but he's at his best on the edge.
Reader has suffered a couple significant quad injuries over the last few years. McNeill missed a month last year with a knee injury. The Lions could certainly stand to add depth and competition to that room.
View photos of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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)
Duke defensive lineman Dewayne Carter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
American defensive lineman Braden Fiske of Florida State (55) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske reacts after a sack against Louisville during the second half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is sacked by Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
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)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, right, returns an interception as he is tackled by Bowling Green linebacker Cashius Howell in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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)
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)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) looks on during an NCAA college football game against North Carolina Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) reacts after a tackle against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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)
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)
LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) battles Grambling State offensive lineman Shontrail Key (65) during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) celebrates a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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)
Five defensive tackles who could fit the Lions:
1. Byron Murphy II, Texas
6-0, 297. 4.87 40-yard dash (1.69 10-yard split).
Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year who recorded 8.5 tackles for loss with 5.0 sacks for the Longhorns last season. He's an explosive athlete with a terrific combination of power and a quick first step. How good of an athlete is Murphy? He scored two touchdowns on offense, one rushing and one receiving.
2. Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
6-2, 304. Did not run 40.
Newton is an athletic and powerful interior defender who made his living playing in the opponent's backfield the last few years at Illinois. Newton tied for the national lead in QB pressures among interior defenders last season with 44, according to Pro Football Focus. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and finalist for the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defender), Newton led Illinois with 7.5 sacks. He also led all of FBS football with a school-record four blocked kicks. Newton finished his Illini career with 27.5 tackles for loss and 18.0 sacks.
3. Braden Fiske, Florida State
6-4, 292. 4.78 40-yard dash (1.68 10-yard split).
Fiske has good length with room to put more weight and muscle on his frame at the NFL level. He's got some position versatility and a history of production at both Western Michigan University and Florida State. He notched 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks for the Seminoles this past season, which is great production from the interior. He has a motor that never quits.
4. T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
6-4, 366. 5.27 40-yard dash (1.8 10-yard split).
A massive human being with the ability to eat up blocks and open lanes for players around him to make plays. He has a chance to make an immediate impact because rarely will he be blocked by a single offensive lineman. Sweat won the Outland Trophy (given to the nation's top interior lineman-OL/DL) and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups and one blocked kick.
View photos of NFL prospect Jer'Zhan Newton.
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Northwestern quarterback Ben Bryant (2) is sacked by Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton, center left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
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, File)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and linebacker Seth Coleman (49) celebrate after Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne was sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton hits Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) is stopped by Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
5. Kris Jenkins, Michigan
6-3, 299. 4.91 40-yard dash (1.7 10-yard split).
Started all 15 games for the national champions and finished with 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception. He was the team's Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He also comes from good bloodlines with his father, Kris, being a two-time All-Pro defensive tackle in the NFL. He was dominant on the biggest stage in the playoff games against Alabama and Washington.
Sleeper: Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
6-4, 294. 4.89 40-yard dash (1.67 10-yard split).
Orhorhoro had to wait his turn to become a starter but made the most of the opportunity in 2023, starting 12 games and finishing with 25 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He's an explosive athlete with good size and uses leverage to his advantage. He's got a high ceiling with his athletic traits.
