By Sunday 
Sounds like a bad joke, but one of them might actually have to start Week 1.
You ever hear one of those setups like, “A guy walks into a bar with a duck on his head”? Well, here’s the Detroit Lions’ 2025 version: Roy Lopez, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, and Tyleik Williams all walk into training camp… and one of them has to replace Alim McNeill.
No punchline. Just a defensive line coach nervously sipping coffee.
Life Without McNeill (Temporarily… We Hope)
With big Alim out for the start of the season, Detroit finds itself in a bit of a jam on the interior. You don’t just replace a guy like that by popping into Costco and grabbing a 300-pounder off the shelf. You need push, awareness, and enough burst to turn a third-and-short into a punt.
McNeill had all of that. Now the Lions need someone — anyone — to step up while he’s healing.
The Candidates: Chaos, Hope, and Question Marks
Let’s break down the hopefuls for the nose tackle spot, or at least some heavy rotation.
🦁 Roy Lopez
He’s got experience, a thick frame, and a mustache that screams, “I played in the ’70s.” But is he starter-ready or just a depth guy with good vibes?
🦁 Levi Onwuzurike
Levi’s been on the roster forever but feels like a myth. Injuries have slowed what once looked like a promising career. This camp? Probably his last best shot to prove he can stay healthy and productive.
🦁 Mekhi Wingo
The wildcard. Athletic. Undersized. Could either be a fun surprise or just… short. Not ideal when the guy across from you is 6’5” and mad.
🦁 Tyleik Williams
The first-round rookie with all the hype. He’s raw, but built like a refrigerator with rocket boosters. If he gets the nod early, it’s because the staff sees him as a future anchor — and they’d rather start building now.
Committee or Coin Flip?
Dan Campbell loves grit. He also loves coffee. He probably needs a lot of both this month as the Lions try to figure out if this group can keep opposing centers awake at night — or if it’s going to be “run up the gut” season until McNeill returns.
And let’s be honest: they may go committee-style early on. If no one clearly wins the spot, we might get some rotation, some trial-and-error, and probably a surprise hero by Week 3 (NFL tradition, really).
The Silver Lining
No matter how this shakes out, we’re watching a team deep enough to even have this conversation. That wasn’t always the case in Detroit. So whether Roy wins the job with veteran savvy, or Tyleik body-slams his way into the starting lineup, one thing’s for sure…
Somebody’s walking out of this joke with a starting job.