SideLion Report
FanSided

Detroit Lions target defensive tackle, sign Sylvester Williams

By Steven Mullenax

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 1: Nose tackle Sylvester Williams #92 of the Denver Broncos celebrates in the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 1: Nose tackle Sylvester Williams #92 of the Denver Broncos celebrates in the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Lions took their first step at addressing their biggest need by signing free agent defensive tackle Sylvester Williams on Wednesday.

The Detroit Lions have several roster needs to address this offseason. With new head coach Matt Patricia at the helm, and his numerous staff additions, this is a Lions’ team that is heading in an exciting new direction. And that means we are likely to see many new faces playing for the Motor City in 2018.

But of all their team needs, chief among them is the interior of their defensive line. Not only has the exodus of All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who left Detroit to sign with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, left a massive void in Detroit; but Patricia’s hyper-flexible defensive scheme calls for much more depth.

The Lions’ defense is expected to play both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes depending upon their opponents. This means having defensive tackles on the roster who are able to play several different techniques, including that of a nose in the 3-4.

Currently on the roster at defensive tackle are former second rounder A’Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, Jeremiah Ledbetter and Christian Ringo. Now, you can add former Denver Broncos’ defender Sylvester Williams to that list.

According to a report on the team’s official website, the Lions inked Williams to an undisclosed contract on Wednesday. A former first round selection (28th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft, the veteran lineman spent the first four-years of his professional football career with the Broncos. Williams recorded 94 total tackles and 6.0 sacks during that span.

Last season, Williams posted 20 total tackles in 15 games for the Tennessee Titans, starting in 11 of those contests.

Next: How the Detroit Lions can be successful on defense in 2018

The Detroit Lions were also rumored to be close to making a deal with former New England Patroits defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois. And the Lions reportedly already have planned visits with fellow New England defensive tackle Alan Branch and former New York Giants’ hefty defender Johnathan Hankins.

Home/Lions Free Agency