Detroit Lions Sign First-Round Pick Tyleik Williams: Contract Breakdown
The Detroit Lions have officially signed their 2025 first-round selection, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, to his rookie deal. With this move, six of the team’s seven draft picks are now under contract, leaving only second-rounder Tate Ratledge unsigned. It’s common for second-round picks to take longer to finalize contracts due to more flexible negotiating terms. For context, Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins recently became the first second-rounder to land a fully guaranteed deal—a benefit typically reserved for first-rounders.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports that Williams inked a four-year deal worth $16.46 million, including an $8.61 million signing bonus. The entire contract is fully guaranteed.
In terms of pay scale, Williams’ average annual salary of $4.11 million places him 63rd among all NFL defensive tackles. That puts him slightly ahead of current teammates Levi Onwuzurike ($4 million) and Roy Lopez ($3.5 million).
While defensive tackle isn’t traditionally viewed as a marquee position, the top players at the spot are now commanding massive salaries—like Chris Jones at $31.75 million per year and Christian Wilkins at $27.5 million. By drafting Williams at the end of the first round, the Lions have secured a potentially impactful player at a position growing in value, and they’ve done it at a significant financial bargain.
Leave a Reply