Throughout the majority of this offseason position preview series, we\u2019ve discussed how the Detroit Lions may approach free agency and the NFL Draft. But at defensive tackle, the Lions could very well be better in 2026 without doing much of anything this offseason. With some injuries in the rear-view mirror and the right development, the Lions\u2019 interior defensive line could be one of their biggest strengths next year.<\/p>\n
Lions 2025 recap: Defensive tackle<\/p>\n
Tyleik Williams stats (17 games, 10 starts): 18 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 4 passes defended62.6 PFF grade \u2014 51st out of 129 qualifying DTs69.1 pass rush grade \u2014 34th53.8 run defense grade \u2014 68thDJ Reader (17 games, 17 starts): 28 tackles, 0 TFLs, 0 sacks68.5 PFF grade \u2014 36th out of 129 qualifying DTs71.8 pass rush grade \u2014 23rd61.7 run defense grade \u2014 35thAlim McNeill stats (10 games, 10 starts): 14 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble51.6 PFF grade \u2014 90th out of 129 qualifying DTs60.6 pass rush grade \u2014 75th47.2 run defense grade \u2014 86thRoy Lopez stats (17 games, 0 starts): 30 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 pass defended68.7 PFF grade \u2014 33rd among 129 qualifying DTs63.6 pass rush grade: 57th68.9 run defense grade: 16th<\/p>\n
While it wasn\u2019t a banner year for the Lions\u2019 interior defensive line, it was also an above-average season for most of their players.<\/p>\n
While DJ Reader posted zero tackles for loss for the first time in his career, he was still doing his job relatively well as a space eater, allowing players like Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell to run free in what was a strong run defense for most of the year. The eye test doesn\u2019t really match Reader\u2019s strong pass rush grade, and PFF only credited him with 20 pressures\u2014his lowest since an injury-shortened 2020 season.<\/p>\n
In his rookie season, Tyleik showed some strong run defense, but the pass rush flashes were few and far between (again, counter to what the PFF grades show). He had just 19 pressures all season. While you may have wanted more from a first-round pick, I would say there was nothing truly discouraging about his rookie season, especially given his role doing the unheralded dirty work in the trenches that often goes overlooked and underappreciated. One aspect of the game in which he made a difference was his ability to break up passes, something the Lions have lacked on the defensive line for years.<\/p>\n
It was a disappointing season for Alim McNeill, but not totally unexpected. A big guy coming off a torn ACL, McNeill wasn\u2019t expected to return until November, and he wasn\u2019t expected to look like his old self until the end of the season. Unfortunately, we never really got to see \u201cold Alim,\u201d except, oddly, in his very first game back when he looked like the disruptive pass rusher that earned his big extension during the 2024 season. Still, despite the struggles, he produced the most pressures of the group, with 23 in just 10 games.<\/p>\n
The breakout star of the defense was free agent addition Roy Lopez. Despite a limited role all season (20-30 snaps a game), Lopez was disruptive in both the run and pass games. He posted career-highs in run defense grade (68.9) and quarterback hits (five) despite playing the second-fewest snaps in his five-year career.<\/p>\n