Two promising rookies. One breakout season on the horizon. Tate Ratledge brought stability from Day 1 — but Tyleik Williams was drafted to be a game-wrecker. In Year 2, which young Lion makes the bigger leap and reshapes Detroit’s future?
Who Will Perform Better Next Season: Tyleik Williams or Tate Ratledge?
Entering the 2026 season, the Detroit Lions boast two promising second-year players in Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge. Both were rookies in 2025, and while Ratledge provided steady play on the offensive line, Williams was a first-round pick expected to grow into a more significant role. The biggest question for fans and analysts alike is this: who will take the bigger step forward in Year 2?
Tyleik Williams
Williams, selected in the first round (28th overall) by Detroit out of Ohio State, began his NFL career as a rotational defensive tackle focused on run defense and gap control. In 2025 he logged 446 defensive snaps, recording 18 total tackles, one sack, 17 pressures, three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. His snap count placed him behind more established veterans as he learned how to translate his college success to the professional level.
PFF’s grading reflects a modest rookie year. Williams finished with a PFF defensive grade in the low 60s (62.6), which ranked him in the middle of the pack among rookie defensive interiors. He showed flashes against both the run and pass rush, but he was still developing consistency as a disruptive presence.
Williams’ run defense and gap integrity stood out more than his pass rushing. In some individual games, analytical grades showed his ability to anchor the interior and fight through double teams, traits that project well for future growth. These traits are often undervalued in box score stats but can be impactful in limiting opposing run games and creating opportunities for teammates.
While Williams’ rookie numbers might appear modest, his limited opportunity was partly due to a defensive line rotation that featured multiple veterans and situational personnel. With the expectation that Williams will see an increased role in 2026 — especially if Detroit shifts its rotation or if injuries occur — there is room for significant statistical and performance growth.
Tate Ratledge
Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia, brought size and experience to the offensive line and made an immediate impact as a starter at right guard, starting all 15 games he played in 2025. That confirms he did start every full game during the regular season.
Over more than 1,088 offensive snaps, Ratledge showed reliability in Detroit’s ground game and pass protection. According to PFF, he finished the season with an overall grade of 70.3, including a run-blocking grade of 73.5 and a pass-blocking grade of 58.5. Ratledge allowed two sacks and 24 total pressures on the season, numbers that suggest a solid foundation with room for refinement.
Ratledge’s strongest asset in his rookie campaign was his run blocking, consistently creating movement at the point of attack. In pass protection, he showed flashes of competence, but his lower grade reflects occasional struggles against quicker interior defenders. Despite these challenges, his durability and snap count indicate that Detroit trusts him as a building block in the offense.
One storyline entering 2026 is the potential for Ratledge to expand his versatility along the offensive front. While he played exclusively at guard in 2025, there has been speculation — though not official — about the possibility of future work at center or another interior spot to increase his value. However, his 2025 snap chart confirms he did not play center during his rookie season.
Conclusion
Both Williams and Ratledge laid solid foundations in their first NFL seasons, but their developmental paths differ. Ratledge established himself as a reliable starter who can handle the everyday grind of an NFL offensive line. Williams, on the other hand, spent much of his rookie year in a rotational role but showed traits that project well for future growth, particularly against the run and in gap control.
Looking ahead to 2026, the edge in potential breakout performance leans toward Tyleik Williams. Williams enters Year 2 with a clearer path for increased playing time and the kind of physical profile that can lead to a bigger role in both run stopping and pass rush. The Lions’ investment as a first-round pick suggests they believe he can be a defensive anchor, and if that growth materializes, his second season could be the one where he truly emerges as a difference maker.
Williams’ breakout isn’t a guarantee, but given his talent, draft status and projected opportunity, expectations are high that he will make more noticeable strides in 2026 than his fellow rookie Ratledge.