Pride of Detroit
Identifying which interior defensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be keeping an eye on during the 2025 NFL Combine.
Our 2025 NFL Combine preview series continues along as we approach the big event, which is scheduled to be televised from Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 2.
So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, and interior offensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be scouting. In this article, we flip to the other side of the ball and start by examining the interior defensive line prospects that should be on the radar of general manager Brad Holmes.
Of note: Defensive linemen will kick off the on-field drills on NFL Network on Thursday, February 27.
While it’s still a bit unclear if new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will alter the Lions’ defensive front, what we do know is that he will continue to prioritize stopping the run while earning the right to rush the passer.
“Everything you do on defense starts with the front,” Sheppard said in a recent interview with Fox News Dan Miller. “Just look at the final guys in the championship game. It’s not like I’m telling some secret. Everything you do on defense starts with the front. It starts in the trenches, in both the run and the pass game.”
While the Lions return both starters, Alim McNeill is coming off an ACL injury and DJ Reader is in the final year of his contract. There are developing youth on the roster—Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin, and Chris Smith—but they all contributed less than Levi Onwuzurike, Pat O’Connor, and Kyle Peko who are all unrestricted free agents. This figures to be a position group that addressed their holes in multiple ways, including potentially adding via free agency and the draft, or even double dipping for depth.
When watching the interior defensive line players run through drills, the top things to watch for are balance through the hips, hand placement (especially evident with bag work), and if they play with their head up/eyes on target. Additionally, keep an eye on players’ feet. Do they keep their weight over them? Are they quick? How is their lateral movement? Do they shuffle or cross-step?
This draft class is loaded with defensive line talent as a whopping 41 defensive tackles were invited to the Combine. Michigan’s Mason Graham figures to go off the board very early in the first round, but there are a few more prospects who could be great value for the Lions at the end of Day 1.
Walter Nolen, 3/5T, Mississippi (6-foot-3, 293 pounds) was the No. 1 overall high school player in 2022, but he didn’t come into his own until his Junior season after he transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss. This past season he rounded out his game, and while he’s still developing, the traits he possesses...
