The Detroit Lions bolstered their run defense by selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, a seamless addition to their scheme. A towering presence on the line, Williams offers the flexibility to line up at either nose tackle or three-technique. He also embodies the tough, gritty mentality that has become a hallmark of Brad Holmes’ draft selections.
“He’s a perfect fit for our identity,” Dan Campbell told Fox 2 Detroit. “From early on, we saw he checked all the boxes for us. He actually reminds me a lot of Mack (Alim McNeill). He’s a rare athlete for his size—big, powerful, and versatile enough to play nose, three-tech, even some five-tech. He’s a force against the run, can collapse the pocket, and brings a ton of potential. Smart, instinctive—just a real football player. We’re excited.”
At 334 pounds, Williams brings the power to anchor the defensive line and stop the run, while also addressing a key need with Alim McNeill possibly sidelined to start the season.
Because of the Lions’ current roster situation, there’s a clear opportunity for immediate playing time for the Ohio State standout, lining up alongside DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, and Levi Onwuzurike.
“That’s exactly why we drafted him—we believe he can adjust quickly and contribute right away,” Dan Campbell told Fox 2 Detroit. “Thinking about his potential as he develops, and then getting Mack (McNeill) back, plus Reader, Lopez, Hutchinson, and Davenport—it’s exciting.”
Campbell added, “This guy fills a real need. When you get a big man with footwork like his, that’s rare. That’s why I compare him to Mack. They’re similar in that they can both handle multiple roles against the run and the pass.”
While Tyleik Williams still has room to develop as a pass-rusher, he was a dominant force against the run during his time at Ohio State. A consistent presence in the middle of the Buckeyes’ defense, Williams combined athleticism with production, racking up 136 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks over four seasons. In their national championship run last year, he recorded 46 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
“He can anchor, bend, strike—he plays on the other side of the line, and that’s exactly our style,” Dan Campbell said. “He hits blocks and makes plays. Whether it’s getting on an edge or crashing the pocket, he’s just too powerful. If he doesn’t get the sack, he still collapses the pocket or frees up teammates. And the best part is, he’s not done developing. There’s untapped potential, and we know Kacy Rodgers is going to bring that out of him.”
Williams has never backed down from high-pressure moments. As a key part of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team, he regularly competed in the biggest games college football has to offer. With the Buckeyes’ consistent presence in high-stakes matchups, he’s no stranger to championship environments.
That experience will be valuable as he transitions to the NFL, especially with a Lions team that has its sights set on a Super Bowl run. His track record against elite competition should help him feel right at home on Sundays.
“It’s a big factor in the evaluation process,” Dan Campbell explained. “You get to see him go up against top-tier talent and deliver over and over. He’s played high-level football against great opponents, and we believe he’s going to fit in perfectly here.”