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PFF chose Tyleik Williams as 1 of 2 DTs to have a breakout season in 2026. Would be great if him and Alim can both have big seasons stopping the run and collapsing the pocket.
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I’ve always felt people were far too hard on Tyleik his rookie season around here. While he wasn’t a world-beater, he also wasn’t bad. He came in and performed how I expect most rookie DTs to perform. Lots of growth to come from him still, I think and definitely think a 2nd year Leik with a fully-healthy Alim can be a very solid interior on the DL.
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Plus he was better down the stretch. I DO think PFF might be copping from Risdon a little here (who has been predicting a potential Tyleik breakout as well), but he’s certainly following a predictable path for a DT entering the league. Hell his rookie season was better than Alim’s. Better than Derrick Brown, Quinnen Williams, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Ed Oliver, on and on and on. Rare is the rookie DT who makes a big impact.
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Had to look it up to see what’s considered a good “defensive run stop rate” for a DT. The wording by PFF just seems weird when they reference a percentage (5%) and compare that to his PFF grade (88.6) in college. Why not just compare percentage to percentage, or PFF grade to PFF grade.
I also wonder how much that 5% run stop rate was due to how they were scheming him.
Anyway, apparently a good “defensive run stop rate” for an NFL DT is still only in the mid to upper teens, with the elites being in the low to mid 20’s.
Elite DTs: 23–25%+ RSWR
Very good DTs: 18–22% RSWR
Average DTs: 10–17% RSWR
Below average: <10% RSWR
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Man that would be huge
I also predict Tyleik is going to be a much better player this fall than he was last year, and I thought he was solid already.
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Our run defense on the flanks was far more problematic than our interior. No comment on Tyleik specifically but the low hanging fruit for a team run defense rebound is being substantially more stout and disciplined with contain responsibilities.
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I am less worried about stopping the run.
I’d love for Tyleik and Alim to be able to generate enough pressure up the middle that the pocket gets squeezed quicker than last season. Even if the sacks don’t increase dramatically, making QBs throw quicker will only help the DBs and likely reduce penalties for holding and PI.
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Our EDGE rush defense in 2025 was IMO embarrassing at times.
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The Something about Mary character does Lions takes now?
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