The Detroit Lions Get Some Needed Help At Defensive Tackle.
Finally, the Detroit Lions have made an addition to the defensive tackle group, and it is former Tennessee Titan and Denver Bronco Sylvester Williams. The Lions have been quiet in free agency when it comes to defensive tackle help – one of the glaring holes on the team. While they have made some additions to the linebacker group, tight end, running back, cornerback and offensive line, the position with the most help needed was ignored for a week.
Detroit fans erupted when the Miami Dolphins released former Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh, but the Lions never reached out to him, and he is down to three teams, none of them being the Lions. The Lions were on the hunt for a tackle, but with many getting snatched up they were looking dry. On Wednesday, the Lions hosted other defensive tackles Johnathan Hankins and Alan Branch, but in the end, the team stuck with Williams. There were reports of the Lions signing defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois, but that all seemed to be smoke and mirrors.
Feeling like @realDonaldTrump with the fake news
— Ricky Jean Francois (@Rbjf_99) March 21, 2018
What Does Sylvester Williams Bring To Detroit?
No details of the contract have been released, but it is a one-year deal. Williams was a former first-round pick for the Denver Broncos. He performed well during his time, but not enough to re-sign with the team. He went on to sign a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans last season, where he would start in 11 games, but not achieve much.
So far in his five-year career, Williams has 111 total tackles, five and a half sacks, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Williams isn’t a stud of a signing, like signing Hankins would be for Detroit, but he is a good player overall.
I get fans wanted Hankins, but Williams is still a solid player who could start or buy time for a rookie to get ready to start. He is a former 1st rd pick and his last contract averaged $5.5 M for a NT. That's solid. https://t.co/Q5S64cVN1P
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) March 21, 2018
This was needed big time. As much as they need to run the ball, stopping the run was a big problem last year. Still could be a dt or de on the board at 20 that makes sense. Again, depth chart now dictating that they don't have to force anything. https://t.co/vpsztDdVDf
— Dan Miller (@DanMillerFox2) March 21, 2018
This signing doesn’t mean that defensive tackle is off the board at pick 20 for the Lions. It does mean that Detroit won’t be spending any more money on potential starting defensive tackles. If the Lions do end up signing Jean-Francois, it will be for depth purposes only. Detroit will still look to help the defensive line in the draft, but the way the latest signings are coming in, Detroit could possibly go with a best player available look at pick 20. Williams seems to be happy with the decision he made as well.
Sylvester Williams said he got really excited about the direction of the team after spending 30 minutes talking with head coach Matt Patricia. He says his ability to play the run and be stout in middle are his strengths
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 21, 2018
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