Detroit Lions Top Breakout Candidate in 2026
Newsweek · C · trust 47/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Detroit Lions ' defensive line looks a lot different heading into the 2026 NFL season, and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is set up to be the biggest winner from it.
Williams was the 28th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a dominant career at Ohio State. In his 2023 junior year, he racked up 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and three sacks, earning second-team All-American honors. And in his senior year, he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
His rookie season was slightly disappointing, though. Williams didn't miss a single game, but he played a rotational role behind DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, and Alim McNeill, finishing with modest totals. He ended the year with just 18 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, four passes deflected, and one sack, playing in just 40% of the Lions' defensive snaps.
But this offseason, the Lions let both Reader and Lopez walk in free agency, a move that clears the runway for Williams to take over.
What's most telling is that Detroit didn't bring in anybody after losing Reader and Lopez — instead turning to rookies and depth pieces — which signals just how confident the front office is in Williams stepping into a foundational role.
At 6-foot-3, around 330 pounds, Williams has all the tools to develop into a disruptive, three-down interior lineman. Even in a limited role last season, his advanced metrics hinted at that upside as a pass rusher. His 68.2 PFF pass-rush grade ranked 37th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen, and his overall PFF grade of 62.1 ranked 51st. He also logged 19 total pressures and 17 quarterback hurries.
Heading into training camp, the pairing of Williams and McNeill as Detroit's starting interior duo will be one of the top storylines to watch as the defense tries to reestablish itself as one of the best in the NFL. The Lions ranked in the bottom half of the league in points and yards allowed, and can't afford another 9-8 season. Williams will be key to making sure that doesn't happen.
Aidan Hutchinson is an elite edge rusher, posting 14.5 sacks last season, and linebacker Jack Campbell finished second in the league with 176 total tackles. All they need is a steady force up the middle to complete this defense and help get this team back to the top of the NFC North.
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