The Detroit Lions have few high-level needs entering the 2025 NFL draft. After all, during much of the 2024 season, the squad was considered the best in the league. Detroit needs modest repairs.
Perhaps a guard would be a good fit, but the team could also use a long-term disruptive edge rusher or a strong presence on the defensive line.

When edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was hurt early last season, the Lions found a way to succeed despite the lack of a strong pass rush. Hutchinson is capable of wreaking havoc on his own, but he did not need to be Detroit’s sole edge rusher.

Pairing him with a younger edge rusher would make the defense even more formidable over time.

The Lions were in a good position in the first round, though. The team drafted well enough to take a chance on a guy that lesser teams could not. Of course, this does not mean that the picked player must have an immediate impact.

The Lions select Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Fortunately for Detroit, Tyleik Williams dropped into their lap. The 6’3″ and 335-pound defensive tackle resembles a nose guard, but he is so much more. He possesses sneaky decent athleticism and should be able to stuff the run while providing an inside pass rush. Hutchinson should be able to feed off opposing offenses that need to account for Williams.

The best part is that even if the Lions had not chosen Williams, the team would still be in position to make a deep postseason run. Detroit relies on players like Hutchinson to stay healthy. The team changed coaches this offseason, but Dan Campbell stays, as does the culture he developed.

Williams has the potential to have an immediate impact on the defensive line and help Detroit finally win a Super Bowl, which the team has yet to do. The Lions are quite close to achieving so. Williams could be the final piece in the proverbial puzzle.