Former Michigan State standout Raequan Williams is back in the NFL, signing with the Detroit Lions after a strong showing at the team’s recent tryout. The Lions officially announced the move on Monday afternoon via their social media channels, confirming Williams as one of three new additions.
This marks a return to the league for the defensive lineman, whose performance clearly impressed the Lions’ coaching staff enough to earn him a spot on the 90-man roster. For Williams—a former All-Big Ten player at MSU—this is another opportunity to carve out a role and potentially bolster Detroit’s interior defensive line depth heading into training camp.
Raequan Williams’ journey has been marked by consistency and resilience. After going undrafted in 2020, he’s continued to fight for his place in the NFL, and his recent signing with the Detroit Lions is the latest chapter in that pursuit.
Williams was a four-year contributor at Michigan State under coach Mark Dantonio from 2016–2019, making an immediate impact as a freshman. That year, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 28 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks—an impressive debut for a young defensive lineman. His production steadily increased in subsequent seasons, particularly in his sophomore and junior years, where he developed into one of the more reliable and disruptive interior linemen in the Big Ten.
Though he didn’t hear his name called on draft day, Williams signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and has since been working to solidify a long-term NFL role. Now with Detroit, he’ll have a fresh opportunity to compete for a depth spot on a rising Lions team looking to add toughness and experience to its defensive front.
Raequan Williams’ path back to the NFL is a testament to persistence and quiet grind. After a standout senior season in 2019 at Michigan State—finishing with 48 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks—he was viewed by many as a solid Day 3 draft prospect. While he ultimately went undrafted, he quickly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he logged limited action over his initial NFL stint.
Since then, Williams has stayed ready, and now he’s earned another shot, this time with the Detroit Lions following a strong showing at rookie minicamp. His signing doesn’t guarantee a final roster spot, but it does signal he’s on the radar, especially with Detroit’s depth concerns along the defensive line.
Your projection is realistic—a practice squad role seems likely at this stage. The Lions have shown a willingness to develop players internally and promote from within, especially when injuries strike or performance dips. For a team trying to build sustained defensive depth, a versatile and experienced player like Williams could be a valuable in-season call-up if he keeps progressing.
He’s not there yet—but he’s back in the door. That’s a meaningful first step.
