In the first round of the draft, the Lions welcomed Tyleik Williams who fills my #1 positional need on the team. With almost every current defensive tackle carrying medical or age concerns, the 22-year-old Williams is a welcome injection of youth. He was also very reliable in his college career playing in 13 games each of the past three seasons.
There was a mild medical concern that popped up during his pro day however. The video shows him grabbing at his left distal hamstring and posterior knee area while running the 40-yard dash.
Afterwards, the Lions had him in for a Top-30 visit where that injury was certainly fully evaluated and presumably cleared by medical. Assuming this is a simple mild-moderate hamstring strain, then it’s no concern going forward as he’ll have plenty of time to gradually ramp-up this offseason.
Is this just another example of Brad Holmes’ love of drafting injured players? Not so fast as 3 of the next 4 players taken were of much higher medical concern than Williams based on my pre-draft rankings.
∎Maxwell Hairston CB was rated a moderate concern due to a 2024 shoulder injury. The Lions showed interest as he came in for a Top-30 visit. He went at pick #30 to the Bills.
∎Jihaad Campbell LB was a moderate concern due to shoulder labrum surgery performed after the combine. He was drafted at #31 by the Eagles.
∎Josh Simmons OT was rated a severe concern as he is still rehabbing a patellar tendon rupture suffered in October. Without injury, he may have been a top-5 pick but ended up going #32 to the Chiefs who took a calculated risk to try to bolster their offensive line.
Also available to the Lions was Will Johnson CB who I rated a severe medical concern due to a toe, shoulder, and now a recently-reported knee issue. Despite elite talent, he was not drafted in the 1st round.
When you look at the players drafted after him, Williams stands out as one of the healthier players drafted in the late 1st round. The Lions desperately needed a healthy, young addition to their defensive tackle group and I expect they got one.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Tyleik Williams injury history not a concern despite pro day mishap
In the first round of the draft, the Lions welcomed Tyleik Williams who fills my #1 positional need on the team. With almost every current defensive tackle carrying medical or age concerns, the 22-year-old Williams is a welcome injection of youth. He was also very reliable in his college career playing in 13 games each of the past three seasons.
There was a mild medical concern that popped up during his pro day however. The video shows him grabbing at his left distal hamstring and posterior knee area while running the 40-yard dash.
Afterwards, the Lions had him in for a Top-30 visit where that injury was certainly fully evaluated and presumably cleared by medical. Assuming this is a simple mild-moderate hamstring strain, then it’s no concern going forward as he’ll have plenty of time to gradually ramp-up this offseason.
Is this just another example of Brad Holmes’ love of drafting injured players? Not so fast as 3 of the next 4 players taken were of much higher medical concern than Williams based on my pre-draft rankings.
∎Maxwell Hairston CB was rated a moderate concern due to a 2024 shoulder injury. The Lions showed interest as he came in for a Top-30 visit. He went at pick #30 to the Bills.
∎Jihaad Campbell LB was a moderate concern due to shoulder labrum surgery performed after the combine. He was drafted at #31 by the Eagles.
∎Josh Simmons OT was rated a severe concern as he is still rehabbing a patellar tendon rupture suffered in October. Without injury, he may have been a top-5 pick but ended up going #32 to the Chiefs who took a calculated risk to try to bolster their offensive line.
Also available to the Lions was Will Johnson CB who I rated a severe medical concern due to a toe, shoulder, and now a recently-reported knee issue. Despite elite talent, he was not drafted in the 1st round.
When you look at the players drafted after him, Williams stands out as one of the healthier players drafted in the late 1st round. The Lions desperately needed a healthy, young addition to their defensive tackle group and I expect they got one.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Tyleik Williams injury history not a concern despite pro day mishap
