Tim Twentyman

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes feels pretty good about the depth he's built along his defensive line, especially inside at defensive tackle, through free agency so far.

Detroit returns startersAlim McNeillandDJ Reader, but McNeill might not be ready for the start of the season after tearing his ACL in December. The team re-signedLevi Onwuzurikeand Pat O'Connor, retainedJosh Paschaland Mekhi Wingo, and signed veteranRoy Lopezin free agency.

"Really excited about our depth and what we were able to acquire on the D-line," Holmes said.

That doesn't mean Holmes won't look to add some more young talent via a very strong interior defensive line group in this year's NFL Draft. There's a number of players along the interior of Detroit's defensive front who are signed only through the 2025 season.

Defensive tackle class draft strength:Talent and depth. It's a loaded class of interior defenders with some draft analysts thinking it's the deepest group in maybe a decade. There's not only high-end talent that includes potential Top 10 pick Mason Graham, but depth that will bleed well into Day 2 with teams being able to find quality starters into Friday night.

Lions defensive tackle depth chart:McNeill, Reader, Onwuzurike, Paschal, Lopez, Wingo, O'Connor, Chris Smith, Myles Adams, Brodric Martin.

Lions defensive tackle draft priority:Moderate. Holmes likes the depth they have and the group looks good on paper, but it's unclear when McNeill could be back. He tore his ACL Dec. 15 and that's usually a nine to 12 month recovery time. Detroit won't rush him back before he's completely ready to go.

Onwuzurike, Lopez, Reader and Paschal are all only signed through the 2025 season. Adding some young depth wouldn't be a bad idea.

Five defensive tackles who could fit the Lions:

1. Walter Nolen, Mississippi

6-4, 296. 27 bench press reps

Nolen anchored the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best in Ole Miss history. He tallied 48 tackles, tied a team-leading 14 tackles for loss and added 6.5 sacks. He's got a terrific blend of explosiveness and power and will only get better once he fills his toolbox with a bigger repertoire of pass-rush moves.

2.Derrick Harmon, Oregon

6-4 1/2, 313. Did not bench

Harmon lives on the opponent's side of the line of scrimmage. According to Pro Football Focus, Harmon had 55 pressures last season, the most of any defensive tackle in the FBS. His 86.3 pass-rush grade tied for fourth, while also making five sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.

3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

6-4, 331. 22 bench press reps

Grant is a mammoth of a human being with enough athleticism to play a couple different spots along the front and not just the nose. He notched 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks for the Wolverines last season. He's got rare size and traits teams will love.

4. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

6-4, 297. Did not bench

Sanders recorded 50 total tackles (29 solo) with seven tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks this past season. He's got 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks the last two seasons combined. He's a powerful interior defender with three-down potential because of a better-than-average pass rush from the interior.

5. Joshua Farmer, Florida State

6-3, 305. 26 bench press reps

A thick and powerful defender with the versatility and skillset to play in multiple fronts. He recorded eight tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks for the Seminoles last season and combined for 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks the last two seasons. He's a terrific run defender who plays with good pad level and has a consistent track record of production.