By Sunday 
With training camp just days away, Detroit Lions fans are buzzing about the return of football. But unlike years past, this isn’t a team scrambling to plug holes. Thanks to solid leadership and smart roster building, the Lions enter 2025 with most starting jobs already locked in.
That doesn’t mean things will be boring.
In fact, the real intrigue lies beneath the surface—in the battles for depth, rotation roles, and next-man-up duties that often decide playoff fates when injuries inevitably strike. And if you’re looking for one camp storyline that’s quietly flying under the radar but could end up being a season-defining subplot, look no further than the defensive tackle room.
🛠️ The McNeill-Sized Hole in the Middle
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Alim McNeill’s absence to start the season is a big deal. A consistent anchor on the interior, McNeill set the tone for the Lions’ defensive front with his physicality and discipline. Now out for roughly half the season, Detroit suddenly finds itself in need of someone—or several someones—to step up.
That’s where things get spicy.
👀 Who Steps In? A Committee of Hungry Contenders
The Lions aren’t short on bodies—but bodies don’t guarantee production. Levi Onwuzurike is the early name to watch. A former second-rounder with all the physical tools, he’s flashed upside in small bursts. If he can stay healthy and tap into his potential, he could provide a near one-to-one replacement for McNeill.
Then there’s Tyleik Williams, the first-round rookie drawing all kinds of buzz. At Ohio State, he was known for his 3-tech disruption, but Detroit seems interested in grooming him as a nose tackle first—mirroring McNeill’s own development arc. It’s a bold plan, but one that could pay off in the long term.
Let’s not forget Roy Lopez and Mekhi Wingo, either. Both have the kind of grit and motor that fits this defensive identity. While neither are guaranteed major snaps, they could be crucial rotational guys if things click.
And finally, don’t sleep on DJ Reader. The veteran brings leadership and experience, even if there are questions about how much juice he still has in the tank.
🧩 It’s Not Just About Who Starts
The most fascinating part of this battle? It might not come down to one winner. Campbell and DC Aaron Glenn could opt for a platoon approach early—rotating bodies based on situation and matchup. That’s why depth matters more than ever in this camp.
If Detroit wants to keep its aggressive, play-wrecking identity up front, the DT group will need to deliver—not just in Week 1, but all the way through the playoff push.
🧠 Final Thought: It’s Not Flashy, but It’s Everything
This won’t be the battle fans tweet about most. It won’t dominate highlight reels. But in a year with real Super Bowl aspirations, the outcome of this interior D-line competition could be the domino that sets everything else in motion.
And for those paying attention, it’s exactly where the real preseason drama lies.