When Detroit spent a sixth-round pick on Skyler Gill-Howard out of Texas Tech in the 2026 NFL draft, few Lions fans probably expected him to matter this much this fast. But through three weeks, the rookie defensive tackle has turned into one of the sneakiest important pieces of Detroit’s defense.
Gill-Howard has stepped into a spot the Lions badly needed to patch after losing both DJ Reader and Roy Lopez in free agency this offseason. Detroit needed another interior body who could hold up next to Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, and Gill-Howard has done exactly that.
The production backs it up. He has seven total pressures on the season, which ranks third among rookies. ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric has him inside the top 20 among defensive tackles in the league, too, with a 17% success rate through 47 snaps.
That kind of impact is a big reason Detroit’s pass rush has looked far better than it did in 2025. The Lions rebuilt that part of the defense with size and strength on purpose, and so far it’s paying off. Through three weeks, the team is ranked 11th in the league in pass rush win rate.
McNeill has been right there with him. Among defensive tackles, he ranks ahead of Gill-Howard and sits 13th overall with an 18% success rate through 78 plays. His biggest strength so far has been availability, and he still looks like he has more to give early in the season.
Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers could be the best test yet for that interior tandem. Carolina ranks 25th in pass block win rate so far this season and has already allowed Bryce Young to be sacked seven times. The Panthers are also expected to be without starting left guard Damien Lewis, while rookie tackle Monroe Freeling is set to return on a shortened practice week.
If McNeill and Gill-Howard can keep rolling, along with former Panther DJ Wonnum and Aidan Hutchinson, that front could make life a lot easier for Detroit’s secondary. And right now, that looks like a real possibility.
In Other News...
Panthers Hit With New NFL Discipline Right Before Lions Game
The Panthers are dealing with a little added noise before their matchup with the Lions, as the NFL handed down fines to three Carolina players for penalties committed in Week 3 against Cleveland. A.J. Dillon was fined for a facemask, Lee Hunter for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to taunting, and Thomas Incoom for unnecessary roughness involving helmet use.
None of the three was suspended, so Carolina will still have its full group available when it lines up against Detroit. Even so, the discipline serves as a reminder that the league is watching closely, and the Lions will face a Panthers team trying to keep its edge without letting the extra attention spill into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Sam LaPorta Question They Couldn't Settle
The Lions and Sam LaPorta have hit pause on contract-extension talks after several weeks of negotiations failed to produce a deal, a familiar sort of detour for a franchise that has not shied away from working on its own timeline. LaPortas side decided to step back for now so the tight end can stay focused on the season, leaving open the possibility that the conversation picks up again once the games are over.
For Detroit, the situation turns one of its most important young pieces into an offseason question again, even if the door is not closed. The team has a history of handling contracts during the season, and it would not be a surprise if it tries again to keep LaPorta in place long term, especially with the chance that any agreement could land him among the leagues highest-paid tight ends. [Read more 🡒]
Isaac TeSlaa Has A Real Chance To Build On Last Week
Isaac TeSlaa finally gave the Lions a glimpse of what he can add to the passing game last week, finishing with four catches for 66 yards against the Jets. For a second-year receiver still trying to carve out a steadier role, it was the kind of outing that can change how a coaching staff looks at the depth chart from one week to the next.
The next opportunity looks even more inviting against Carolina, which has already lost two starting cornerbacks to injured reserve. With Detroit likely looking to keep feeding TeSlaa after his uptick in involvement, betting analyst Drew Ellis is expecting him to top his receiving total from last week, a sign that this might be more than a one-game spike for a young player trying to force his way into the offense. [Read more 🡒]