Instant analysis: How DT Mekhi Wingo will impact the Detroit Lions

Exploring how sixth-round pick DT Mekhi Wingo’s skill set will impact the Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions drafted four players on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and they moved up to acquire three of them. The latest move saw the Lions make a trade with the Houston Texans to draft defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo from LSU with pick No. 189 in the sixth round.

Wingo wore the notorious No. 18 at LSU, a number assigned to a player who best represents LSU on and off the field, and brings the energy and competitive level of his teammates up. Littered with positive intangibles, Wingo has a winning mentality and will bring a strong level of leadership to the organization. Additionally, Wingo’s mentality and toughness earned him a Tier 1 (elite) level ranking on our 2024 Grit Index, something only 16 players in this draft class were able to accomplish.

Skill set

At 6-foot, 284 pounds, Wingo is undersized for a defensive tackle role, but he is able to overcome his lack of size because of his skill set.

Wingo plays with a relentless motor, giving his full effort on every play. He is lower to the ground, which allows him to gain leverage on taller offensive linemen. His first step is lethal and he understands how to properly use his hands to combat his opponent, which often leads to a lot of interior disruption.

Interior disruption is something the Lions have been lacking for some time, and even if Wingo is only a situational pass rusher, his ability to make noise on the inside is something the Lions desperately need on passing downs.

Additionally, because of his size/speed combination, LSU would situationally line Wingo up at defensive end to get more disruption on the edge. Basically, he is the inverse of what the Lions have in John Cominsky/Josh Paschal, as he will spend most of his time inside and situationally push out to the 5-technique. This is the positional range they were hoping to get from Levi Onwuzurike before his back injury delayed his development.

With the addition of Wingo, the Lions now have six defensive tackles on the roster. Alim McNeill is expected to spend most of his time starting at the 3-technique and will be backed up by Wingo, Onwuzurike, and Chris Smith. DJ Reader will hold down the starting nose tackle role and will help develop Brodric Martin to be his direct reserve.