We break down what the Detroit Lions defensive line may look like and how they may treat subpackage personnel.
Without a doubt, the biggest question mark on the Detroit Lions is their defensive line. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has pumped a lot of resources into the position—drafting Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo, and now Tyleik Williams—but there are still plenty of questions at hand. On this week’s Midweek Mailbag podcast, Erik Schlitt and I try to answer them all.
The biggest question is who will start opposite Hutchinson. The easy answer is Marcus Davenport, but can the Lions trust him to be healthy? And if he is healthy, are we sure he’s still good? We talk a lot about Davenport around the 23-minute mark.
Then there’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams. Where will he start with Alim McNeill likely sidelined for at least a month of the season? And when both are healthy, who will play nose, and who will play three-tech? Where does Williams fit long-term on this roster? That discussion begins around the 20-minute mark.
Also, it’s fair to wonder how this team will line up when it comes to their NASCAR packages—AKA their pass rushing crew on obvious passing downs. With so many defensive linemen who are better pass rushers on the interior (Onwuzurike, Paschal, McNeill, Williams—sometimes even Hutchinson), who can the Lions trust to be a true defensive end in those subpackages? Is this where the Lions are the weakest on the defensive line? We debate this around the 32-minute mark.
Finally, there’s Ahmed Hassanein. The Lions’ sixth-round pick is a powder keg of emotion and a fantastic story, but what are realistic expectations for him both in the long term and the short term? Can he develop into a starter? In what situations will he play early in his career. The Hassanein discussion starts around the 33:30 mark and continues later at the 36-minute mark.
Other questions on this week’s show:
- Did Brad Holmes trade away future third-round picks, because he knows more draft capital may be on the way?
- Would you rather use third-round picks on Isaac TeSlaa or George Pickens?
- Will the Lions’ UDFA streak stay alive? Will ever draft pick make the 53-man roster?
- Where is the disconnect between Holmes and fans at the EDGE position?
- Who are we most excited to see at Lions rookie minicamp and OTAs?
- Which teams are you hoping the Lions face early vs. late on the 2025 schedule?
- Which teams could be Detroit’s primetime opponents on the schedule?
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