Tyleik Williams is officially a Detroit Lion, but it turns out the Buffalo Bills were right behind Detroit in line — and they really wanted him.
“They told me if I was there, they were gonna take me,” Williams said. “I had talks with the head coach, the D-line coach — they loved my game.”
The Bills were sitting at No. 30 in the draft, just two spots behind Detroit, which makes the Lions’ pick at 28 even more significant. Despite some critics suggesting it was a reach, Williams said he always had a feeling Detroit might pull the trigger in the first round.
And now that it’s official, the Ohio State standout is ready to get to work.
“It’s a lot of emotions right now,” he said. “Tears, family, happiness — but really, I’m just excited. The Lions told me they could see me as a key part of the defense, and that stuck with me.”
One thing that sets Williams apart? He’s a film junkie.
“I watch a ton of film — constantly looking for any edge,” he said. “I like picking up on offensive line tendencies and giving the defense that info. It’s better to know what’s coming than just guess.”
The Lions also love his versatility — he can line up at nose tackle or at the 3-tech spot. And pairing him with a healthy Alim McNeill could be a problem for opposing offensive lines.
“I actually looked up Alim after my meeting with Detroit,” Williams said. “He’s a great player. I think we’re gonna make a lot of plays together.”
Williams also spoke about bouncing back from a brutal regular-season loss to Michigan. Despite being favored, Ohio State lost that one at home. But the Buckeyes regrouped, stuck together, and ended up winning the national championship.
“That loss hurt, but our brotherhood was strong,” he said. “We didn’t hang our heads. We came back stronger, and that mindset carried us through.”
Now, he brings that same mentality to Detroit — a chip on his shoulder, and a team-first mindset Lions fans are sure to appreciate.
Lions Beat Bills to the Punch for Tyleik Williams at No. 28
