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Detroit Lions: Who will step up at defensive tackle?

By Steven Mullenax

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 21: Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams #92 of the Denver Broncos leaves the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 21, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 26-20 in overtime. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 21: Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams #92 of the Denver Broncos leaves the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 21, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 26-20 in overtime. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Missing a five-time Pro Bowler from the interior of their defensive line this season, who will step in his place for the Detroit Lions?

Last season, the Detroit Lions struggled to defend against the run after losing All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to a season-ending bicep injury in Week Five. Through their first five games of 2017, the Lions defense allowed just 74.6 rushing yards per contest. Following the loss of Ngata, that average jump to a whopping 129.7 yards allowed on the ground to opponents afterwards.

This offseason, the Lions lost Ngata for good to free agency, as the 34-year old signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal to join the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. So who will step up to take Ngata’s place in Detroit this upcoming season?

The obvious candidate was Akeem Spence, who received the starting nod after Ngata’s season-ending injury last year. The 26-year old did post a career-high 39 tackles and 3.0 sacks in 11 starts during his first season in Detroit. Unfortunately, it was also his last season in Detroit as Spence was promptly traded to the Miami Dolphins last month for a conditional seventh round pick in 2019.

Clearly, the new regime in the Motor City have different plans for the position this upcoming season. And considering the dynamic defensive scheme new head coach Matt Patricia is installing in Detroit, the Lions are likely wanting defensive tackles with positional flex to fill their depth chart.

Therefore, one team insider believes this free agency add at defensive tackle could end up having a significant impact for the Lions’ defense in 2018.

"” … based off the spring it is likely Sylvester Williams,” wrote Michael Rothstein for ESPN.com. Now, the Lions didn’t have Ezekiel Ansah doing much during the spring, but Williams took a bunch of first-team reps and seems to be in line to get a lot of work in the middle of the defensive line.”"

The 6-foot-2, 328 pound Williams was originally a first round pick out of North Carolina for the Denver Broncos back in 2013. He had his best season for Denver in 2016, posting 25 total tackles and 3.0 sacks as a 15-game starter.

Last year, the Tennessee Titans signed the Bronco’s former anchor to a lucrative three-year, $16.5 million deal as a free agent. But Williams disappointed in his lone season for the Titans, recording a combined 20 tackles in 11 starts.

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Now, the 29-year old is expected to play a big role on a revamped Detroit Lions’ defense that is expected to be drastically changing schemes from week-to-week depending on the opponent. Traditionally, Sylvester Williams has struggled against the run during in his professional career. But under the watchful eye of defensive guru Matt Patricia, perhaps the sixth-year veteran has found his perfect fit in Detroit.

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