Entering the 2018 season, the Detroit Lions‘ interior defensive line did not look promising. The unit had struggled for several seasons, and this season looked like it would be more of the same. For too long, it has been the same issue with this defensive line: no ability to defend against the run or create pressure on the opposing quarterback.
After letting veteran defensive tackle Haloti Ngata go in free agency, the Lions did not do much to bolster the position. The team brought in nose tackle and former first-round pick Sylvester Williams in the first week of free agency and did not make any more big moves in free agency until late-July when they signed defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois.