From John Randle to Geno Atkins to Aaron Donald, I tend to have a weakness for the potential of smaller defensive tackles. So, when McNeill hit my radar in 2020, I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed his disruptive tape.
The 6′ 1⅞”, 317-pound McNeill was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 draft, and while it took him a second to get the reps he needed to become a real force on Detroit’s defensive line, he had no issue doing so in 2023.
Last season, McNeill totaled six sacks and 43 total pressures, embarrassing a lot of Pro Bowl-level guards and centers along the way.
Chris Lindstrom of the Falcons is one of the NFL's best guards.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) September 30, 2023
But he got THROWN OUT THE DAMN CLUB by Alim McNeill (54) of the @Lions, who deserves a lot more praise this season than he's getting. pic.twitter.com/sGbEH3F6I0
ALIM MCNEILL SPIN MOVE pic.twitter.com/N3G0Xi9gXQ
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 24, 2024
