Dan Campbell called new defensive line coach Terrell Williams “the best D-Line coach” in the NFL. So which Lions defensive lineman do you see benefiting the most under his tutelage?
The Detroit Lions have had one of the best offenses in the NFL for the past season and a half, so it’s safe to say it isn’t lightning in a bottle. With young, productive skill players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs just scratching the surface of their potential, one of the best offensive lines in the League, and a reliable decision-maker in Jared Goff, the offense is poised to remain among the top units in 2024.
But on the other side of the ball, the Lions defense has shown more intermittent improvement. The run defense is very real—there’s been enough tape to see they’re committed to being tough against the run—but aside from that, the other areas have been more touch and go. With more consistency in defending the pass, the Lions defense can take their next step as a team.
In the offseason, Detroit sure did a lot to reimagine their secondary by trading for Carlton Davis, signing Amik Robertson, and drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft . Those changes will undoubtedly go a long way towards improving the pass defense in the here and now—as well as the future—but every great defense can get after the quarterback, and that starts up front.
So today’s Question of the Day is…
Which Lions defensive lineman will take the biggest leap in 2024?
Brad Holmes made quite a few notable moves this offseason, at some pretty impactful positions like starting cornerback and guard, but none may end up as important as the addition of DJ Reader—and Terrell Williams, the Lions new defensive line/run-game coordinator, will have a lot to do with that.
Last week, Dan Campbell called Williams “the best D-Line coach” in the NFL, and it’s hard to argue with that opinion considering his track record with both veteran and young defensive linemen. Guys like Jurrell Casey continued his high-level of play well into his 30s under Williams. Jeffery Simmons, a former first-round pick for Tennessee, has developed into one of those elite interior disruptors and inked a four-year, $94 million deal last offseason. It’s hard not to draw a parallel between Williams’ success with Casey and Simmons with Detroit’s situation: the established veteran Reader and the young player on the cusp of a contract extension in Alim McNeill—the player I think will see the most improvement along Detroit’s defensive line.
McNeill is as stout against the run as they come, one of the best run defenders in the NFL in 2023 (fourth in run defense grade among interior defenders with at least 200 snaps). As a pass rusher, McNeill has shown to be a very impactful pass rusher, but those games come and go. Last year, 62 percent of McNeill’s pressures came in five of his 13 games, a measure of how his disruptiveness tends to comes in waves.
Williams brings with him a message of accountability and violence, and those will hopefully help McNeill reach new heights in his game, but more importantly, more consistent disruption along the interior of Detroit’s defensive line. Reader’s presence will help take some of the pressure and attention off of him. An improved secondary could present more opportunities for McNeill to clean up snaps with sacks. But also, never underestimate a certifiably good player in a contract year.
Your turn.