The Detroit Lions raised some eyebrows in the first-round of the 2025 draft when they selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with pick No. 28, but the move is looking better by the day.
After initially taking some time to adjust to the NFL, Williams has stepped up and looks like he is capable of being a load carrier up front. Lately, he has been trending as one of the better defensive tackles in the league.
Since Week 7, Williams has had a defensive grade of 74.5 from PFF, which is good for 12th amongst all NFL defensive tackles. Perhaps even better than that, Williams has a 72.2 PFF grade since Week 5, which makes him the 20th-best defensive tackle in the league right now in terms of metrics. Both of those stats were pointed out by Al Karsten.
Statistically, Williams hasn't been a huge performer with 15 tackles and three passes defended, but the metrics show he is effectively using his body and clogging running and passing lanes. This makes him a difficult player for opposing offenses to deal with, and someone who now has to be accounted for on the scouting report as a rookie.
Starting the year, Williams wasn't on many radars to make this impact, but it's great to see the youngster playing his role for the Lions. Detroit's defense needs to step up down the stretch in order for the team to make a postseason run, and it starts with solid play along the defensive line.
So far, they've been able to get that from Williams, who is looking like a major building-block for the defense moving forward for the present and future.
Lions' defensive line must step up in Week 15 to stop Rams' offense
Williams will be challenged again in Week 15 by another quality offense. The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a dominant 45-17 win, and in that performance, they rushed for 249 yards and three touchdowns. That helped their passing game look even more lethal than usual.
With this in mind, the task is easy to identify. The Lions' defensive line has to slow down Blake Corum and Kyren Williams, keeping them as close to 100 yards as possible. If they erupt, Detroit will have a tough time winning. Dan Campbell knows the advantage of having two great runners with different styles.
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"(Blake) Corum, he's a good back and they've got a little bit of a one-two punch over there. Both of those guys are really good. They gave (Corum) a load Sunday. He rushed for over 100 yards. I think it's a good change up. I think both of those guys, they're a little different, but to me, they're both power backs. They're both able to go down hill and slice and get under you and and move the pile. They're quick, they're explosive, they're twitchy (and) they're versatile. It helps them. It certainly doesn't hurt them. It just gives them another element there."
For Detroit, the goal is to step up in the trenches and snuff out the Los Angeles rushing attack. That means players like Alim McNeill, DJ Reader and Roy Lopez will need to have good games, and Williams will have to show himself as a difference-maker in a vital battle for NFC playoff positioning.
Lately, the rookie has been just that even if he hasn't generated major headlines all year. He's been very solid and deserving of praise, which is a credit to Brad Holmes.