The Lions selected Williams with the 28th overall pick on Thursday night, shoring up the defensive tackle position decimated by injuries last season. Williams explained to Lions team reporter Dannie Rogers that he took the initiative in his pre-draft process to allow coaches to see more of his skill set.

The Detroit Lions selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams as the 28th pick in the 2025 NFL draft.The Virginia native attended Ohio State University, where he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. Williams started 13 games in the 2024 season for the Buckeyes,

Brad Holmes said he fell in love with Tyleik Williams early in the draft process, based on how the defensive lineman handled himself in flashing his football intelligence. Holmes and the Detroit Lions made that love known,