Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes feels pretty good about the depth he's built along his defensive line, especially inside at defensive tackle, through free agency so far.
Detroit returns starters Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, but McNeill might not be ready for the start of the season after tearing his ACL in December. The team re-signed Levi Onwuzurike and Pat O'Connor, retained Josh Paschal and Mekhi Wingo, and signed veteran Roy Lopez in free agency.
"Really excited about our depth and what we were able to acquire on the D-line," Holmes said.
That doesn't mean Holmes won't look to add some more young talent via a very strong interior defensive line group in this year's NFL Draft. There's a number of players along the interior of Detroit's defensive front who are signed only through the 2025 season.
Defensive tackle class draft strength: Talent and depth. It's a loaded class of interior defenders with some draft analysts thinking it's the deepest group in maybe a decade. There's not only high-end talent that includes potential Top 10 pick Mason Graham, but depth that will bleed well into Day 2 with teams being able to find quality starters into Friday night.
Lions defensive tackle depth chart: McNeill, Reader, Onwuzurike, Paschal, Lopez, Wingo, O'Connor, Chris Smith, Myles Adams, Brodric Martin.
View photos of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander looks towards the scoreboard during the closing seconds of the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rice in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive lineman Joshua Farmer (44) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive lineman Joshua Farmer runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) warms up during the NCAA college football team's spring game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, April 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant (78) celebrates sacking Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch (12) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, right, is tackled by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen confronts a blocking dummy during a drill at the school's NFL football pro day, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (55) recovers a fumble by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (90) pressures Furman quarterback Tyler Huff (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) sacks Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) sacks Louisiana-Monroe quarterback Jiya Wright, front left, for a five-yard loss during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker walks off the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker 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 defensive lineman Tyleik Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Lions defensive tackle draft priority: Moderate. Holmes likes the depth they have and the group looks good on paper, but it's unclear when McNeill could be back. He tore his ACL Dec. 15 and that's usually a nine to 12 month recovery time. Detroit won't rush him back before he's completely ready to go.
Onwuzurike, Lopez, Reader and Paschal are all only signed through the 2025 season. Adding some young depth wouldn't be a bad idea.
Five defensive tackles who could fit the Lions:
1. Walter Nolen, Mississippi
6-4, 296. 27 bench press reps
Nolen anchored the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best in Ole Miss history. He tallied 48 tackles, tied a team-leading 14 tackles for loss and added 6.5 sacks. He's got a terrific blend of explosiveness and power and will only get better once he fills his toolbox with a bigger repertoire of pass-rush moves.
2. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
6-4 1/2, 313. Did not bench
Harmon lives on the opponent's side of the line of scrimmage. According to Pro Football Focus, Harmon had 55 pressures last season, the most of any defensive tackle in the FBS. His 86.3 pass-rush grade tied for fourth, while also making five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
6-4, 331. 22 bench press reps
Grant is a mammoth of a human being with enough athleticism to play a couple different spots along the front and not just the nose. He notched 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks for the Wolverines last season. He's got rare size and traits teams will love.
View photos of 2025 NFL Draft defensive line prospect Derrick Harmon.
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, right, is tackled by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) looks on during the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1), defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell, behind, and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) celebrate a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Idaho, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams, right, scores a touchdown while being tackled by Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) runs a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei (10) and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) celebrate a sack during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
4. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
6-4, 297. Did not bench
Sanders recorded 50 total tackles (29 solo) with seven tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks this past season. He's got 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks the last two seasons combined. He's a powerful interior defender with three-down potential because of a better-than-average pass rush from the interior.
5. Joshua Farmer, Florida State
6-3, 305. 26 bench press reps
A thick and powerful defender with the versatility and skillset to play in multiple fronts. He recorded eight tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks for the Seminoles last season and combined for 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks the last two seasons. He's a terrific run defender who plays with good pad level and has a consistent track record of production.
