Slimmed-Down Alim McNeill Playing Faster

Alim McNeill showing signs of progression early on in training camp.

Alim McNeill looks like a new man on the Lions’ practice field in Allen Park.

The third-year defensive tackle underwent a physical transformation this past offseason. He shed 22 pounds – dropping from 327 to 305 pounds – after adopting a new, healthier diet consisting of less red meat and an emphasis on not overeating.

And, through the first two-and-a-half weeks of training camp, there’s been a noticeable difference in McNeill. The N.C. State product, who recorded a career-best 41 total tackles, including six for loss, in 2022, has looked faster off the ball despite the fact he’s managed to maintain his playing strength from a year ago.

On Tuesday and Wednesday against the N.Y. Giants, the interior defensive lineman got the chance to “test drive” his new body type against another opponent for the first time. And, he felt like he and his teammates exuded a violent nature, specifically during Tuesday's practice with New York.

"There was a lot of violence being displayed, a lot of good technique," McNeill told reporters Wednesday. "There was a couple things, obviously every day, there's things to clean up. But, there was a lot we had to clean up yesterday, as well. But, I feel like we showed a lot of violence. We were intense, we were kind of putting the pressure on them yesterday." 

Additionally, overall wise, Tuesday's joint practice session proved to be a positive experience for McNeill.

“I felt like it was good,” McNeill said about his reps against the Giants. “There were some things that, like I was saying, (I have) to clean up. There were a lot of things that I like that I did, just being able to move. I just feel a lot better, I was feeling more free. But, just being able to move and get on different packages and being able to cut up the defense, (with) even more rushing ability now, it felt a lot better, and it felt pretty good against a different opponent, as well. It’s just the beginning.”

Going into the 2023 season, the Lions are hoping that McNeill is able to bring more of a burst off the line of scrimmage and improve upon his pass-rushing efforts. The 23-year-old produced just a lone sack and seven quarterback hits in a full season’s worth of games a year ago.

Interestingly enough, though, McNeill's best game as a pro arguably came against the Giants in Week 11 of last season. In the aforementioned tilt, the big-bodied defensive tackle amassed a career-high three tackles for loss and three QB hits, en route to notching his only sack on the year. According to Pro Football Focus, he also recorded a staggering 10 pressures of New York passer Daniel Jones, helping McNeill earn PFF Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Early on in camp, McNeill has felt like he’s more consistently displayed the pass-rushing effort that he brought against the Giants a season ago.

“That’s really the main thing I’ve kind of noticed myself,” McNeill said, in reference to being quicker off the ball. “That’s the one thing I can really feel. I’m getting off the ball a lot faster, being able to make it hard (to) make them make decisions and stuff like that. So, yeah, I definitely feel my get-off (is better).”