The Green Bay Packers need to add a run-stopping interior defensive lineman after losing T.J. Slaton to the Cincinnati Bengals. Most of their defensive linemen, i.e., Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, are known for their pass-rushing abilities rather than their run-stopping abilities and playing on early downs, excluding Kenny Clark. However, when the Packers switched to a 4-3 last offseason, Clark saw a lot of playing time as a three-tech rather than a one-tech, which is why they need a nose tackle.
The Green Bay Packers hosted an elite run-stopper
According to Jordan Schultz, the Packers hosted former Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams for a pre-draft visit. Williams is considered one of the top run-stopping defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft. As Schultz points out, he is considered a late first to early second-round pick.
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams has had a busy pre-draft process. Per sources, he’s met with the #Eagles, #Bills, #Texans, and #Packers, with visits to the #Lions, #Ravens and #49ers still ahead.
Williams is regarded as one of the top run-defending defensive linemen in this class,… pic.twitter.com/p33XbOC9dZ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 9, 2025
He had a solid career with Ohio State
Tyleik Williams committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes as a four-star recruit for the 2021 season. Williams had a solid tenure with Ohio State, recording 136 tackles, 28 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks in 51 games. His accolades include being named to the Third Team All-Big Ten in 2023 and Third Team All-Big Ten in 2024.
Williams had a solid senior season, recording 46 tackles, eight TFLs, and 2.5 sacks in 13 games. He also posted 20 pressures, a 6.6% pass rush win rate, a 59.8 pass rush grade, 20 run stops, a 7.8% run stop rate, and an 88.6 run defense grade. He finished with the 19th-most run stops, the 32nd-highest run stop rate, and the 5th-highest run defense grade per PFF.
Here’s Lance Zierlein‘s scouting report on Tyleik Williams
“Drain-clogging run defender with violent first contact and nimble feet for impressive tackle production. Williams flashes an ability to play through or around the block. He physically dominates man-on-man matchups but inconsistent pad level and shorter arms hinder his double-team take-ons.
“He needs to focus on developing his hands to keep longer NFL guards from getting into him and neutralizing his power. Williams should pressure the pocket from time to time but might not win on his own enough to see many third-down reps. The knock-back pop and ability to eat up runners in his general vicinity could help him become an impactful, run-stuffing three-technique.”
