Is Khristian Boyd Lions' Defensive Tackle of Future?

Could Lions target small-school prospect on Day 3 of 2024 draft?

In his first three drafts as Lions general manager, Brad Holmes has selected a variety of players from nationally-renowned Power 5 programs. 

The long list includes each of his first-round picks in those three drafts: Penei Sewell in 2021 (Oregon), Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) and Jameson Williams (Alabama) in 2022 and Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) and Jack Campbell (Iowa) in 2023.

Yet, he's also gone the small-school route on a couple picks: sixth-rounder James Houston in 2022 (Jackson State) and fifth-rounder Colby Sorsdal last year (William & Mary).

If Holmes goes looking for an FCS product in this April's draft, Northern Iowa defensive tackle Khristian Boyd would be a great target.

The 6-foot-4, 317-pound interior defensive lineman was not invited to last week's NFL combine. However, he was a standout performer at the East-West Shrine Bowl in early February, and now has reportedly been invited to interview with the Lions as part of a pre-draft, “top-30” visit.

Two Combine Snubs Schedule Top-30 Visits with Detroit Lions

Boyd, albeit against lesser competition at Northern Iowa, thrived as a three-down college lineman. He suited up for at least seven games across five different seasons with the Panthers, and constantly wreaked havoc against opposing quarterbacks. During this time, he became known not only for using his brute power and strength to overpower offensive linemen, but also for a highly proficient push-pull move. This pass-rush move of Boyd’s was on display during the week of the Shrine Bowl, and it helped him win a significant amount of one-on-one reps.

There is an increasing number of draft evaluators that believe the small-school product's pass-rushing prowess will translate to the next level, too.

In his final season at Northern Iowa, he amassed 43 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks, and earned third-team FCS All-American honors for his efforts.

Even more impressively, Boyd earned high marks from Pro Football Focus over the last two years for both his run-stopping and pass-rushing efforts. 

Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd — a surprise omission from last week’s NFL combine — has seven pre-draft visits lined up so far, including the #Lions and #Saints this week.

Boyd is 6-4, 317 and turned heads at the East-West Shrine Bowl with reps like this. pic.twitter.com/4Wxvwaw1Eu

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2024

In fact, among all interior defensive linemen in this year's draft class, he's been PFF’s highest-graded run defender since 2022 (92.1). Plus, among all interior linemen in this year's class, he ranks as the site's sixth-best pass-rusher since 2022 (83.1).

Additionally, he posted solid overall PFF grades of 88.5 and 88.1 in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

It seems like Boyd, from both a run-stuffing and pass-rushing standpoint, could provide just the kind of help the Lions are seeking along the interior of the defensive line. And with enough seasoning, I believe he could grow into a solid running mate for fellow defensive tackle Alim McNeill.

Boyd, in my eyes, would be a solid Day 3 find for Holmes this April.