Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have built a franchise by finding value with their draft picks. Over the last half-decade, the Detroit Lions have hit big on selections like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kerby Joseph. These late-round steals have transformed the roster into a contender.
It's time for the Lions to work their magic again. Detroit still has a few key areas on the roster that need addressing. Even with Tyleik Williams set to step into a bigger role, the Lions could use some help on the interior of their defensive line. D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez are both gone, opening up a glaring weakness on the depth chart.
Luckily, Holmes can solve the issue before it hits crisis status. Alabama prospect Tim Keenan could complete the Lions' defensive tackle rotation, and it wouldn't cost much to get him in the NFL Draft.
Tim Keenan is Lions' late-round draft answer to DT problem
The Lions spent a first-round pick on the interior of their defensive line in 2025 for this exact reason. They saw the impending lack of depth at the position and sought to get ahead of the problem by taking Williams early.
The rookie's role was limited, but he's set to step into a full-time starting spot this season. Detroit may be hesitant to use back-to-back first-round picks on the position, but they could use some more depth behind Williams and Alim McNeil.
Keenan could be the low-cost answer the team is looking for. The Alabama defensive lineman may not be the most productive player in the class, but he can make an impact at the NFL level. His stout frame and strong anchor make him a force on the interior.
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He shows surprising quickness off the line of scrimmage to beat blockers. At 6'1" and 327 pounds, he can play as a nose tackle or as a 3-technique defender.
Some scouts are skeptical that Keenan's lack of athleticism and arm length will limit his ceiling in the NFL. As Lance Zierlein puts it, "a lack of length limits his ability to command the point of attack with a quick punch-and-shed."
But the Lions don't need Keenan to become a dominant player. They need a capable depth piece who can allow their starters to stay fresh. The Alabama product can fill out Detroit's second wave of interior defenders without forcing Holmes to break the bank in the process.