ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Competition is becoming a defining theme for the Detroit Lions' defense as organized team activities continue, with several players saying Thursday the increased depth across the roster is already raising the intensity of offseason practices.
Williams finds his footing in Year 2
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Second-year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams said he feels significantly more comfortable entering his second NFL season after spending his rookie year adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
“I feel way better. I don’t feel as nervous,” Williams said. “I’m playing faster.”
Williams said the biggest lesson from his rookie season was understanding how different the NFL is from college football.
“Players are way better, schemes are way better,” Williams said. “Just having a year under my belt, I feel like I’m playing faster and more fluid.”
Williams expects to see an expanded role along the defensive front this season, potentially lining up at both nose tackle and three-technique.
He also noted the Lions’ offseason additions at edge rusher have brought noticeable size and length to the defensive line.
“We did bring in a bunch of long-arm guys,” Williams said.
He credited veteran defensive lineman Alim McNeill for helping guide his development following D.J. Reader‘s departure.
“Last year, it was D.J. and Alim. Now it’s Alim,” Williams said. “He helps me whenever I need help, and he’s been a great leader for me going into Year 2.”
Michigan/Ohio State
Williams said the storied Michigan Wolverines-Ohio State Buckeyes rivalry remains alive even as former rivals become teammates at the next level.
Asked about conversations with fellow defensive linemen Derrick Moore and another former Aidan Hutchinson in the room, Williams said the competitive banter has continued despite now sharing the same locker room.
“We have our conversations about the game,” Williams said. “Obviously, I troll him. He (Moore) trolls me, but he’s a good dude. He’s a great player, and he’ll help us.”
Williams, who starred at Ohio State, was part of one of college football’s fiercest rivalries before making the jump to the professional ranks.
While the rivalry remains a source of friendly trash talk, Williams made it clear there is mutual respect between the former opponents.
The defensive tackle praised his Michigan counterpart, emphasizing that any ribbing stems from competition rather than animosity.
Now teammates, the former Big Ten rivals are focused on a common goal: bringing their talents together on the defensive front.
Still, the annual showdown between Ohio State and Michigan remains a topic of conversation, with both sides eager to remind the other of their school’s accomplishments whenever the opportunity arises.
For Williams, the rivalry may have shifted from the field to the locker room, but the playful exchanges are still part of the experience.
“It’s all good fun,” Williams said, noting that his Michigan teammate can make a significant impact for the team moving forward.
Reed focused on health after difficult 2025 season
Cornerback D.J. Reed said his primary focus entering the season is remaining healthy after battling through a significant hamstring injury in 2025.
Reed revealed he traveled to Panama during the offseason for stem-cell treatments as part of his recovery.
“The main goal for me is just to stay healthy,” Reed said. “This offseason, I did a lot as far as treatment regarding the hamstring just to get back to where I needed to be.”
Reed described the injury as one of the most difficult challenges of his career.
“It was tough,” Reed said. “I had to teach myself how to walk, how to jog, sprint again, and then going back to playing football.”
Although Reed returned to action last season, film study showed he lacked the burst and recovery speed that defined his play before the injury.
“Guys were just running by me,” Reed said. “I didn’t have that extra gear.”
Now Reed believes that explosiveness has returned.
“It’s definitely there now,” Reed said.
Reed also praised defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who is heading into his second season leading the defense.
“I think Coach Shepp seems a little more poised this year,” Reed said. “I think he’s explaining things even better than he did last year.”
Reed also highlighted the quick emergence of veteran safety Chuck Clark within a secondary that has seen significant offseason changes.
“He’s in Year 10, so he’s been around a lot of football,” Reed said. “You can tell because he just understands it.”
Rodriguez returns healthy, hungry for larger role
At linebacker, Malcolm Rodriguez said his offseason was focused almost entirely on regaining full health after playing through lingering effects of injury last season.
“It was never about playing big. It was always about getting healthy,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he now feels “10 times better” than he did late last season, acknowledging that overcoming both physical limitations and mental hurdles was part of the process.
“I’ve never had to deal with injury, so it was something new for me,” Rodriguez said.
Despite a potentially larger defensive role ahead, Rodriguez said his mindset remains unchanged.
“Every year I come in, it’s always competition,” Rodriguez said.
That competition, he added, is already lifting the entire unit.
“It brings the level of play up for sure,” Rodriguez said. “Training camp is going to be a great one this year.”
Like Reed, Rodriguez credited Sheppard’s self-scouting approach for helping the defense continue to evolve.
“They did a good job of looking at what worked well last year and what didn’t,” Rodriguez said. “He’s always implementing and teaching us all the little details.”
Camp competition expected to intensify
As the Lions move closer to training camp, players throughout the defense appear united on one point: roster spots and playing time remain up for grabs.
With several veterans returning healthier, young players pushing for larger roles, and newcomers entering the mix, the competition-defining spring practices are expected to intensify once the pads come on later this summer.