Detroit Lions rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is already beginning to turn heads at training camp, with 97.1 FM's Will Burchfield reporting that Williams has already received a very endearing nickname courtesy head coach Dan Campbell: "Baby Mac."
That nickname, of course, is a comparison to Alim McNeill, one of several Lions defenders injured at the moment and not expected back to begin the 2025 season for Detroit. Williams is suddenly rising on the defensive linemen depth chart for Detroit as injuries continue to wreak havoc on the room: first McNeill, then Josh Paschall, and finally Levi Onwuzurike.
Williams seems ready for the challenge, according to Burchfield:
He admitted after Thursday's practice that "the game speed is a little faster than I thought it was going to be," but feels himself adjusting well. He walked off the field with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, "asking him how he wants me to play certain blocks, because in college we played a different way, in different schemes."
Williams sounds ready to step up on DL amidst Lions' injuries
Williams might've been injured during OTAs, but he's clearly up for the challenge of potentially earning starters reps ahead of Week 1. In fact, it feels like it'll be a necessity for him to be ready for that role. The rookie is coming over from The Ohio State University fresh off of a championship run with the Buckeyes, so he's prepared to handle the pressures of a championship contending team at the very least.
In his senior year, he had 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss across 13 games played. He was taken to add depth to the trenches - a theme for Brad Holmes in his tenure as the Lions' general manager. Williams couldn't have known he was going to land in a spot to potentially start so soon in his career, but he's at least not the only Lions rookie in that boat.
G Tate Ratledge has been getting major reps at center in the wake of Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement, which could indicate he's about to be thrust into a key starting role in the IOL to start his career.
Williams' development should be smooth given how well this Detroit coaching staff has done with developing their young talent in recent years. He shouldn't be any different as he was the teams' first round pick - their biggest bet, in a way - and can therefore be relied upon to start in a pinch.
