Detroit Lions camp preview: Defensive interior counting on bounceback, developmental jump
Allen Park — The interior of the Detroit Lions defensive line is entering something of a transition period following the departures of veterans DJ Reader and Roy Lopez, who combined for more than 1,000 defensive snaps last season.
The anchor of the group, Alim McNeill, returns and will be looking for a big bounceback after struggling to immediately recapture his form coming off a lengthy rehab from a torn ACL.
McNeill figures to be joined in the starting lineup by 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams, who is being penciled in to replace Reader as the team’s nose tackle, despite most of Williams’ college experience coming at the 3-tech.
The rest of the depth chart is unsettled, with a key player returning from injury, a 2025 waiver claim experiencing his first full offseason with the Lions, and a couple of rookies added to the mix.
Let’s look at the questions facing the group heading into training camp later this month.