Defensive Tackle 2025 - Levi O

I’m not going to turn this into a draft topic…there are plenty of guys to love at DT this year…or a comp pick scenario…beat that to death already.

However let’s assume McNeil is going to miss the early part of the season , even just a couple games like DJ Reader in 2024

And let’s assume a team “overpays” for Levi like Jonah in 2024.

I don’t think it’s a must that we have to go spend premium capital here.

NT- Reader….Vet NT minimum deal …BroMart

3T- Paschal…Wingo….Cominsky minimum resign… O’Connor resign minimum

Is this enough until McNeil gets back?

I think so , especially if we load up at edge.

What do you guys think…


And also any ideas for cheap NT like Peko but not Peko for a 1 year deal

I know @detroit1811 mentioned Greg Gaines… he was 1 year 3.5 mil last year …maybe a guy like him or someone for 2 mil
Per year

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He isn’t going to get a Jonah Jackson deal

If the Lions want him back, he’s back

But no, I disagree. Martin didn’t take the step last year and is closer to being cut than being a solid replacement for LO. Running everyone back minus Onwuzurike and McNeill isn’t enough

Edit: looking around I see some projections as high as $15M and if so then I am wrong. Most have him in the $8M - $10M range

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image

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Overview article:

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It’s crazy everyone here seems to want 2 30 million a year DEs but but then say we’re ok at DT with Wingo Reader and a 1/2 season McNeil. And Reader is on his last leg, Gaines would be fine if you didn’t have Reader. This team needs a DT more then a DE.

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Levi is $4.5-$8 million per according to OTC and Spotrac, he stays IMO. Agree that unless Bro Mart takes a significant step he’s headed for the door or PS. I’m all for DE/DT for the first 2 rounds. Good draft for both positions I have to believe that need matches talent for us.

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If hey can get him for 3/20 then jump at it

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I definitely think Hutch has been covering up for a lack of talent on the defensive line. I think we need to add talent all over the DL. Watching the Eagles DL play the Commanders after us was eye opening.

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Other than Reader, None of these guys is a starting NFL DT. Reader should play better by not having to rehab all offseason and camp, but he is in the last year of his contract.
Cominsky was on the bubble to make the roster before he was injured and I’m not sure he is back.
He, Wingo, and O’Connor are all comin off of season ending injuries.
BroMart ended the season on consecutive healthy scratches.
Pachal is a situational 3T at best.
Might as well throw Practice Squad call up Chris Smith in there as well.
Yes. I believe a cheap vet and a draft pick are resources needed for DT.
Levi will likely seek a long term chance to start somewhere at 3T and get paid more than Reader.

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I like Levi as a depth piece. If we can get him for depth piece money, great. Ideally he isnt a starter.

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Where’s the cut off here for him contract wise?

If he goes over 6 mil? 8 mil? 10 mil?

I think Levi is in that 3 yr between $20M-$30M bucket.
Holmes hasn’t paid any reserve a lot of money, and this roster won’t allow it.
Kalif is the highest earning reserve ($5.25M AAV) and technically he is the starting returner for both punts and kickoff.
Brock Wright has an AAV of $4M and only because Holmes was forced to match the 49ers offer sheet.
I don’t see Holmes paying a reserve $8M-$10M.
Holmes would probably pay Levi as much as $6M but I think he can get more and a long term opportunity to start at 3T somewhere else.

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Hmm it’s a tough one I’d probably go 8 for sure. Anything over 10 is gonna be tough.

2 years 16mil…

I hope he gets 3 year 40+ and makes the decision easy on us.

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We’re thinner at NT rather than 3T.

3T isn’t critically low but Levi should be giving us a big discount for sticking with him. But he’s not a NT.

So, I’d kick the tires on Poona Ford who I think can do a little of both. Seems to be a few of those players in FA. I’d get one of these guys esp. if Levi prices himself out.

Best case - Wingo lights it up in his second year, and he ends up starting, until Alim gets back along side Reader who stays healthy.

People say you should address needs in FA, but this year may be an exception. We need to get a DT in this draft.

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Last offseason I said Jonah is decent but nothing special, not paying Jonah 12+ mill a year, it was crazy to me and he’d never get it. Even debated a few guys on it, who thought he was a staple of the offense. No names mentioned :wink:

I was so wrong and right at the same time. Jonah got 3 years 50 mill and stinks.

Levi gonna get way more than people think based off what I learned last year.

3 years 45mill for Levi

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Yeah, that would be a hard pass. If Levi doesn’t give us a discount, c ya! (Never liked the pick).

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Agree with all this.

3T we can rotate in…or use 2 NT for run downs.

Until McNeil is back.

Levi gets us a 4th rounder in that scenario. I’d have to take that.

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My cutoff would be
1 yr 7
2 yrs 13
3 yrs 18

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It would only surprise me a little if he got that type of contract.
I don’t think he will get that much because he is not a slam dunk starter.
I think wherever he goes he will have to win the job.

But my question is why do you think Levi owes the Lions a discount?

If you use 2 NT’s on run downs teams will just pass the ball, run hurry up tempo, and your fat NT’s will be stuck on the field being useless.
Then when those fat NT’s are exhausted and taken off the field the offense will run the ball down the throats of the little guys you put in to replace them.