The Lions rebuilt their defensive line with Tyleik Williams, but DJ Reader’s departure left a hole in the middle. With playoff expectations rising, Detroit could turn to the 2026 draft to find its next interior enforcer.
The Detroit Lions continue to build one of the NFL’s most physical rosters in the trenches, but the interior defensive line still has questions entering the 2026 season. After drafting Tyleik Williams in the first round last year and letting DJ Reader walk in free agency, Detroit is relying on a rotation that includes Alim McNeill, Williams and a mix of young depth pieces. That leaves the door open for another impactful addition in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Three prospects — Christen Miller, Darrell Jackson Jr. and Lee Hunter — stand out as strong schematic fits for Detroit’s defensive identity.
Miller brings the type of size and reliability the Lions covet in the middle. At roughly 6-foot-4 and over 320 pounds, the Georgia product has been a steady presence against elite SEC competition. He started every game in 2025 and recorded 23 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while anchoring one of the nation’s top defenses. His game is built on strength, leverage and discipline, making him an ideal early-down run defender. Miller projects as a Day 2 pick and profiles best as a nose tackle who can eat double teams and keep linebackers clean.
For Detroit, that role is critical. While McNeill has developed into a disruptive interior presence, the Lions lost a true space-eater when Reader departed. Miller could immediately step into that void, allowing Williams to attack more freely as a penetrator. His experience in a pro-style system at Georgia also aligns with the Lions’ preference for battle-tested defenders.
Jackson, meanwhile, represents a higher-upside swing. The Florida State defensive tackle has been described as a traits-based prospect with impressive size and versatility but still-developing technique. At his best, Jackson flashes the ability to play multiple alignments along the defensive front, using his length and athleticism to disrupt both the run and pass game. However, consistency remains the key question.
That profile fits what Detroit has historically targeted on Day 2 and early Day 3 under general manager Brad Holmes, high-upside players who can be developed within a strong culture. Jackson would not need to start immediately in Detroit, which makes the Lions an ideal landing spot. Surrounded by veterans and a deep rotation, he could refine his technique while contributing situationally. If developed properly, Jackson has the ceiling to become a long-term starter alongside Williams.
Hunter may be the cleanest projection of the three. The Texas Tech standout is widely viewed as one of the top run defenders in the class, earning All-American honors in 2025 after posting 10.5 tackles for loss and consistently dominating at the point of attack. Across his college career, he totaled 29 tackles for loss and showcased strong production at multiple stops, including UCF and Texas Tech.
At 6-foot-3 and over 315 pounds, Hunter is a powerful, two-gapping defensive tackle who thrives in controlling the line of scrimmage. His pass-rush ceiling is limited, but his ability to stop the run and occupy blockers makes him a valuable piece in any rotation.
For the Lions, Hunter’s skill set fills a clear need. Detroit’s defense is built on stopping the run and forcing offenses into long-yardage situations. Hunter would bolster that identity immediately, giving the Lions a dependable interior anchor to pair with McNeill and Williams.
Ultimately, all three prospects offer something Detroit currently lacks in its defensive tackle room. Miller provides stability and size, Jackson offers developmental upside and versatility, and Hunter delivers proven production as a run defender. For a team with playoff aspirations, adding another impact interior lineman could be the key to sustaining one of the NFL’s most physical defenses.