Why Buccaneers Need To Fear Alim McNeill
Alim McNeill is off to the best start of his NFL career.
Over the last three weeks, the third-year defensive tackle has generated 11 pressures, two sacks, six solo tackles and six run stops.
Additionally, he's coming off a productive week against the Carolina Panthers. In the Week 5 contest, he recorded a forced fumble, and earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade among all interior defensive linemen (92.1).
With the performance, the N.C. State product now owns the seventh-best PFF grade among defensive tackles for the season (87.3).
Simply, he's been an absolute beast along the interior of the Lions' defensive line, and should be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"(His presence has) been big, it really has," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of McNeill, after the Lions' Week 4 win over Green Bay. "We don’t take that for granted, and I think some of what you’re seeing, I feel like it’s really — (Aidan Hutchinson) is disruptive, you feel like, every week. You can see how just he’s relentless in his craft and what he’s able to do. But, I feel like it’s really coming even more to light because of 'Mac' (McNeill), too. Mac being able to be a force inside is making a difference."
McNeill, who altered his diet and shed a significant amount of weight over the past offseason, has experienced a huge jump in productivity since last season.
For instance, the big-bodied defensive lineman has already amassed 11 QB pressures through five games, after producing 22 pressures all of last year. He's also noticeably improved his pressure rate, increasing it from 5.6 percent to 8.1 percent.
McNeill often lines up with the opposing team's left guard and then stunts over to the middle of the line, in an attempt to beat the center to the quarterback.
This means that he could be in store for an ample amount of one-on-one battles with Tampa Bay center Robert Hainsey on Sunday.
Hainsey, the anchor of the Buccaneers' offensive line, has allowed one sack and nine total pressures on 257 offensive snaps this season. He's also been responsible for three penalties.
For his efforts, Hainsey has earned a 56.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 47.1 pass-blocking mark.
It tells me that McNeill should be in for a pretty productive day against Tampa Bay.
So, in case you had any doubt, I'm here to tell you that the Buccaneers do need to fear McNeill.
