The Detroit Lions' defensive line is getting some reinforcements.
The Lions used the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of Thursday night's NFL Draft to add defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.
A two-year starter for the Buckeyes, Williams (6-3, 334) played mostly in the three-technique for the Buckeyes' defense and was an elite run defender and disruptor. The last two seasons he combined for 100 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. That's terrific production from a three-technique interior defender.
"He just had a lot of traits and qualities that we were looking for and he's going to fit right in here like a glove," Lions general manager Brad Holmes said at the conclusion of Thursday's first round. "We spent a lot of time with him in the process leading up to this and we were very, very impressed."
View photos from inside the Detroit Lions draft room.
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2025 NFL Draft at the Meijer Performance Center on April 24, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Holmes said Williams reminded him a lot of Alim McNeill when he was coming out of NC State in 2021. McNeill had a nose tackle frame but has proven to be nimble and versatile enough to play three technique in the NFL and he's become one of the better defensive tackles in the league over the last four seasons.
Holmes sees the same kind of versatility in Williams.
"I do think he's got a lot of versatility in his game," Holmes said. "He has the physical skillset. He's got the power and the bend and the agility. He's a very nimble athlete. The thing about it is he's incredibly instinctive as well."
Holmes said Williams and one other unnamed defensive tackle were the two most instinctive players at the position in the entire class.
"My (football) IQ comes from watching a lot of film," Williams said via Zoom call with local media following the selection. "I would say I'm a film junkie trying to gain that advantage. I pick up a lot of things that offensive lines try to do and relay that information to the defense and put us in a great spot. I pride myself on being that guy to give us those tips to be better as a front."
View photos of defensive lineman Tyleik Williams.
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams plays against Maryland during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, top, sacks Akron quarterback DJ Irons during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Akron 59-7. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by Ohio State's Tyleik Williams (91) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind. Ohio State won 41-7. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams lines up 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)
Ohio State's Tyleik Williams runs the 40-yard dash during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams participates in a drill during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, left, tackles Minnesota running back Jordan Nubin (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) tries to block a pass from Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) celebrates sacking Akron quarterback DJ Irons during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Akron 59-7. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) celebrates in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
He now joins a Lions defensive tackle rotation that includes McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo, Pat O'Connor and others. McNeill, who suffered a torn ACL in mid-December, might not be ready for the start of the season, so Williams gives Detroit an active interior defender who is a terrific power rusher with a similar skillset to McNeill.
Where Williams really has a chance to shine early on for the Lions is on first and second down as a run defender, though he said his pass rush is a little undervalued because of the scheme he played at Ohio State. He's got nimble feet for a player his size and 46 tackles as a DT last season means he's always around the ball. He's got a chance to be a very good inside presence for Detroit's defense in 2025 and beyond.
Williams was a running back growing up and said he was always the biggest and fastest player on the field until he grew into a defensive tackle body. He never lost those quick running back feet and that certainly shows up on tape along with terrific speed for a man his size.
