- The Detroit Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Williams is expected to bolster a Lions defense that struggled with injuries and ranked 28th in sack percentage last season.
- Williams was a two-year starter at Ohio State and is considered a strong run defender.
Reinforcements are coming for the Detroit Lions defense, and not just from the injured players they’re counting on to return this fall.
The Lions took Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Lions return most of their key contributors from last year’s 15-2 team, but entered the draft in search of pass rush help and lacking depth on their defensive line and at safety.
Williams should help a defensive line that ranked 28th in the NFL in sack percentage (6.07%) last season while losing several key starters to season-ending injuries.
Lions draft DT Tyleik Williams: Instant reaction from NFL analysts
NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.
Aidan Hutchinson led the Lions with 7.5 sacks in 2024 despite missing 12 games with a broken leg and Marcus Davenport (torn triceps), Alim McNeill (torn ACL), Derrick Barnes (torn MCL and PCL), Mekhi Wingo (torn meniscus) and Kyle Peko (torn pectoral) finished the year on injured reserve.
Hutchinson, Davenport, McNeill and Barnes are expected to return in starting roles this season, though McNeill likely will miss the start of the season while recovering from his injury.
Williams was a two-year starter at Ohio State and considered one of the best run-stuffers in the draft. He had 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the national champions last season.
The Lions, who picked Williams with players like Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku still on the board, entered the draft with seven picks overall but just two selections in the top 100. They sent their fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns as part of the Za’Darius Smith trade and have an extra seventh-round choice.
The Lions have the 60th overall pick in the second round and the 102nd overall pick in Round 3.
Dave Birkett is the author of the book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline.” Order your copyhere. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him onBluesky,X andInstagram at @davebirkett.
