Trenches, trenches, trenches.
With their third pick in the draft, No. 72 overall, Brad Holmes and the Lions continued to build from the inside out and took NC State DT Alim McNeill.
He's their second defensive tackle pick of Day 2, joining Washington's Levi Onwuzurike No. 41 overall, and their third pick in the trenches along with OT Penei Sewell at No. 7.
On the other hand, McNeill is Detroit's first pick who played in 2020. He was named first-team All-ACC last season after putting up 26 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 11 games.
Like Onwuzurike, the 6'2 McNeill doesn't have ideal length for his position. But he generally has the strength and power to make up for it.
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"Not your pass-rushing defensive tackle, more of a run stopper," said ESPN's Booger McFarland. "He can make an immediate impact in the run game."
That's crucial for the Lions, who last season allowed over 130 rushing yards per game.
If a pattern is emerging for Detroit, it bears mention that Holmes said on Thursday the club isn't targeting any positions in the draft.
"We’re not gonna pigeonhole ourselves into, 'We gotta get this position or that,'" he said. "We're taking whoever’s the best football player for us to help us get the most competitive team that we can."