We know that the Detroit Lions have one of the best pass rushers in the league on their roster, and he might not have even hit his peak just yet. They've also just added fresh legs in Derrick Moore through the draft to add to that attack, and to hopefully open things up even more for their defensive line overall.
Their defensive line, and specifically, their defensive tackles, need to step up in a big way this season. Health is currently on their side, with Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike back in the fold full-time for the Lions ahead of training camp. Tyleik Williams could also take a year 2 leap after a solid rookie season, where he had to step into a starting role due to those injuries.
Wtih so many contending squads rostering some elite DT talent, it's obvious that this is one roster hole the Lions have to hope they have managed ahead of this season.
ESPN names several contenders with elite DT play
There are obviously a few outliers around the league when it comes to elite defenses not being attached to good teams, necessarily - the Cleveland Browns remain the biggest example of this, with the New York Jets likely a close second.
But, ESPN recently compiled an anonymous ranking of the league's best DTs headed into this year, and the list is riddled with names attached to contending rosters:
1. Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
2. Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee Titans
3. Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
6. Quinnen Williams, Dallas Cowboys
7. Dexter Lawrence, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Zach Allen, Denver Broncos
9. Milton Williams, New England Patriots
10. Jordan Davis, Philadelphia Eagles
As highlighted, just over half of the names mentioned here are on what we'd consider contenders headed into this season. It's a huge boost for any defensive line to have disruptive tackles, and not just disruptive pass rushers. Detroit was sorely missing not only consistent run-stopping, but consistent pocket pressure outside of Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad.
READ MORE: Ranking every NFC North receiving room entering the 2026 season
Even with those two, the team lacked consistent pocket pressure. Hutchinson was often double teamed while also being over-utilized by the Lions, and Muhammad could not take advantage of that extra attention on Hutchinson consistently enough. If they'd had a healthy McNeill in the fold, though, things could have been different on that front.
Detroit has plenty of talent on their current defensive line that should help to raise their defensive ceiling this season, and in turn, bring them back to contention status.
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