In case you haven’t noticed, Alim McNeill’s output has skyrocketed in his third season as an NFL player. Most notably, after averaging no more than two sacks in each of his first two seasons as a player, he’s already accumulated a career-high five sacks through 10 games in 2023. In addition, he has a career-high nine quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a single pass defensed, earning him an 87.6 overall rating from Pro Football Focus.
McNeill’s career-best season comes on the heels of the third-year defensive tackle undergoing a physical metamorphosis this offseason. The North Carolina State product lost nearly 20 pounds and 13 percent body fat in the process.
“I believe I’ve grown as a player.” “I just feel like my offseason results are starting to show,” McNeill remarked, referring to his transition from the 2022 season to this year. “However, I feel like I’ve just improved as a team player by doing my job to the best of my ability.” However, adding some rush and playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage was the goal heading into this season. I’ve done it a few of times, but other than that, I feel like I’ve simply grown as a D-lineman and team member.”
McNeill had a sack, two QB hits, and a tackle for loss against Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears on Sunday. With five sacks on the season, he is the first Lions interior defensive lineman to have at least as many sacks in a season since Ndamukong Suh in 2014.
“He’s having a really, really good season,” Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said of McNeill during Monday’s press conference. “I thought he was really there last night.” He was somewhat physical, you know. I believed he had won his one-on-ones. Look, he, Benito (Jones), (Quinton) Bohanna, they’re taking on, they’re doing all the dirty work in the run game. It all begins with them. And so you talk about doing the things that don’t always get acknowledged.
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“Right now, he’s winning these one-on-ones with violence, and he’s able to shed the block.” And he’s definitely giving us an internal surge right now. That’s all technique and effort. And, you know, he’s making the most of his abilities right now. As a result, he is an important component of who we are and what we can be on defense. He’s playing at a high level, you know.” McNeill has been instrumental in the Lions’ outstanding run defense this season. With the 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman on the interior of the defensive line, Detroit has allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards (895 yards) through the first 11 weeks of the season.
As a result, he’s been a huge reason why the Lions are 8-2 to start the season, with a two-and-a-half game lead over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. Despite the season’s quick start, McNeill is dissatisfied.
