By Sunday 
The NFL offseason is a time of new beginnings — for rookies, for fans dreaming of Super Bowl runs, and for GMs wheeling and dealing to reshape their rosters. But for some players, it’s also the start of a very real battle for survival. And in Detroit, one name has quietly slid to the wrong end of the depth chart.
Let’s talk about Mekhi Wingo.
A Promising Start That Never Caught Fire
Wingo came to Detroit via the 2024 NFL Draft, picked 189th overall after flashing potential during his college days at Missouri and LSU. He had the traits: a 291-pound frame, some burst, and a competitive edge. But traits only take you so far in the NFL.
In his rookie season, Wingo logged just 220 total snaps — 176 on defense, 44 on special teams — before a knee injury cut his campaign short. His stat line? Nine tackles, only one of which was a solo effort. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to silence the critics or impress the coaches.
And the grades? They weren’t kind. According to Pro Football Focus, Wingo earned a 58.9 pass rush grade and a 46.4 against the run — both underwhelming numbers that put him squarely in “needs improvement” territory.
Detroit Doubles Down on D-Line Depth
Here’s where things really started to get dicey for Wingo.
Instead of trimming the defensive line to open up reps for young players, Detroit did the opposite. They re-signed Levi Onwuzurike, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Pat O’Connor, and Mitchell Agude. Then they added veteran Roy Lopez, who brings serious experience (63 games, 50 starts) to the trenches.
Oh, and the draft? Yeah — Detroit wasn’t shy there either. They used their first-round pick on Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, a wrecking ball of a DT, then circled back later to snag Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein. If that weren’t enough, they brought in undrafted free agent Keith Cooper Jr. from Houston, who some scouts say could be the sleeper pickup of the year.
Simply put, Wingo went from “fringe contributor” to “maybe on the bubble” to “is there even a chair left at the table?”
What’s Next for Wingo?
The outlook isn’t entirely bleak — not yet. Wingo’s been in the Lions’ system for a full year, which means he’s not starting from scratch. He’s familiar with Dan Campbell’s style, understands the playbook, and knows what’s expected of him.
But familiarity isn’t going to save him in a room as crowded and competitive as Detroit’s defensive line.
His next shot comes at the end of May when the Lions begin organized team activities (OTAs) on the 28th. For Wingo, this isn’t just another practice — it’s the beginning of what might be the most important offseason of his young career.
He’ll need to prove he’s healthy. He’ll need to prove he’s improved. And most importantly, he’ll need to prove that he belongs — because the clock is ticking, and the competition just got fierce.
Final Thoughts
The NFL isn’t always fair. Injuries happen. Depth charts change. Fresh talent arrives every year. And for Mekhi Wingo, that reality has come crashing down hard.
If he’s going to survive this offseason and stick with the Lions, he’ll need more than just potential. He’ll need to make some noise — and fast.
Because in Detroit, the heat’s already on.