Detroit Lions select Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams with No. 28 pick in NFL draft

Lions also have No. 60 pick in second round

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (91) celebrates in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn) (Emilee Chinn, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Detroit Lions have selected Ohio State Buckeyes CFP National Champion defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the No. 28 pick in the first round of the NFL draft.

Williams is a run defender with violent first contact and nimble feet, contributing to his impressive tackling with the Buckeyes.

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He plays through and around blocks, showcasing physical dominance especially in one-on-one matchups.

Williams was selected to the third team All-Big Ten during the 2024 season. He started 13 games for the national champions, accumulating 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks, and one pass break-up.

The Lions are coming off their best record in franchise history at 15-2. They ended the regular season with the best record in the NFC North and clinched the No. 1 seed in the conference.

However, their playoff run ended abruptly with an upset loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, prompting a focus on the 2025 draft.

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Lions General Manager Brad Holmes joined the Lions organization on Jan. 14, 2021, as the executive vice president and general manager.

Over the last four years, he said he has learned a lot, including being patient and letting the draft come to him instead of reaching for players

Holmes emphasized that his draft strategy is influenced by the overall talent level and the specific draft pick they hold.

He does not enter the draft with a predetermined plan to trade up or down but he always get his guy.

Lions 2025 NFL draft picks

Here’s the complete list of the Lions’ remaining picks in the 2025 NFL draft:

  • Round 1, Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
  • Round 2, Pick 60
  • Round 3, Pick 102
  • Round 4, Pick 130
  • Round 6, Pick 196 (via Buccaneers)
  • Round 7, Pick 228 (via Cowboys)
  • Round 7, Pick 244