GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams had been on the Detroit Lions’ radar, and general manager Brad Holmes jumped at the chance to draft the Ohio State product with the 28th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.
“He has a lot of traits and qualities that we’re looking for. He’s going to fit right in here like a glove,” Holmes said. “We spent a lot of time with him in the process leading up to this. We were very, very impressed.”
A two-year starter at Ohio State, the 6-foot-3, 334-pound Williams started 13 games for the 2024 national champion Buckeyes with 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks.
Williams joins a defensive tackle group that includes Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo and Pat O’Connor. McNeill might not be available to start the season after tearing an ACL in December. His absence could give an opening to Williams to play immediately.
“They definitely explained I could be a key piece of the defense, so it was definitely in the back of my mind, it was definitely a spot I could land,” Williams said.
Holmes compared Williams to McNeill, whom he drafted in the third round in 2021.
“I don’t want to call him a mirror image, but I think he’s a lot like the guy we have now in Alim, in terms of being able to catch an edge, rush with power, have instincts, he’s got quickness, he can counter,” Holmes said. “I know his pass-rushing stats aren’t off the chart, (but) when you watch the tape you see it.”
Lions coach Dan Campbell and other team officials met with Williams at the scouting combine and also got to know him when he visited team headquarters.
“I remember his interview at the combine. He really blew it out of the park, knocked it out with his intelligence and how much he knew about the game,’’ Holmes said.
Williams attributes his knowledge of the game to hours spent watching video.
With Detroit coming off a 15-win season, Holmes was in the best position for the draft since he took the Lions job in 2021. In his first four drafts, Holmes chose six eventual Pro Bowlers.
The Lions won the NFC North title and the top overall seed in the conference despite a rash of injuries, especially on defense, but were one and done in the playoffs, losing in the divisional round to visiting Washington.
In the past three drafts, Holmes had traded up in the first round, but he stayed put this time. The Lions had six picks remaining in subsequent rounds.
