Film Breakdown: Mekhi Wingo’s expanding skills should lead to more opportunities

Rookie Mekhi Wingo is ready to see his role expand

Mekhi Wingo was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft but the rookie defensive tackle is already showing that he deserves more opportunities. I pulled a dozen plays from Week 3 that illustrate his strengths, expanding skill set, and positional range, while exploring why the Lions are using him in critical situations.

A fringe top-100 player based on Wide Left Arif Hasan’s media consensus 2024 big board, Wingo fell to pick No. 189 where the Lions snagged him for depth along their defensive line. A team captain at LSU, Wingo wore the Tigers honored No. 18 jersey—assigned to players based on work ethic and leadership—and his high character traits surely caught the attention of Lions general manager Brad Holmes.

While Wingo is a talented pass rusher—four quarterback hurries on only 34 pass rush reps through three weeks—he is currently unproven as a run defender, specifically when it comes to living in the world of gap scheme-blocking double teams. He is not a gap clogger and dependability in the run game will be Wingo’s biggest learning curve.

It appeared Wingo would have the luxury of slowly learning and playing selective snaps amidst the Lions’ deep, talented, and versatile defensive front. But with the season-ending injury to defensive end Marcus Davenport, and long-term injury to Derrick Barnes, Wingo could have an elevated role in the defensive line pecking order.

In Week’s 1 and 2, Wingo played 20 combined snaps but in Week 3, due to injuries, he played 28 snaps with his positional flexibility on full display. Against the Cardinals, Wingo played five snaps in the A-Gap, nine snaps in the B-Gap, and 14 snaps in the C-Gap. The capability for his snaps to be distributed across the line of scrimmage in different situations will help him continue to see the field as he adapts to the NFL trenches.

Let’s take a look at some of Wingo’s reps that I found worth highlighting from his Week 3 performance against the Cardinals.

Play #1 – Lined up at left defensive end (4i-technique inside shoulder of offensive tackle)

First off, please note Wingo’s get-off. Lined up on the left side next to Aidan Hutchinson, Wingo crosses the line of scrimmage at the same time as Hutchinson. If Wingo is going to play winning football and make impact plays his get-off will be one of his strongest attributes. Secondly, hustle plays are winning football. Love the non-stop motor on Wingo to go help chase down quarterback Kyler Murray.

Play #2 – Line up at right defensive end (4i-technique inside shoulder of offensive tackle)

Wingo at the point of attack, taking on the front side double team from the guard and tackle. While he doesn’t split the double team he does occupy both blockers, doesn’t lose a lot of ground, and allows for both off-the-ball linebackers to freely pursue to the ball carrier.

Play #3 – Lined up at nose tackle (0-technique head up on the center)

While Wingo doesn’t make any definitive pass rush move to beat the two blockers, I found this interesting that in the two-minute drill defense before halftime, when the Lions rolled out their 3-3-5 nickel defense, they had Wingo in as one of the three down linemen and at nose tackle for the package. Something you’ll notice is Wingo pops right up, like a whack-a-mole, and is ready to be blocked. He’ll continue to need to use consistent low get-off to take advantage of his low pad level and that wasn’t the case on this play.

Play #4 – Lined up at nose tackle (0-technique head up on the center)

Still at nose tackle in the two-minute defense and the Cardinals chose to run the ball. This is a good example of Wingo, potentially not expecting the run, getting blown off the ball by a double team. Luckily, he won’t be head up on the center often during any running plays.

Play #5 – Lined up at nose tackle (0-technique head up on the center)

While it’s not the most efficient hesitation move from Wingo against the center, he still does gain ground to collapse the pocket just a little and get his hand up and into the passing window.

Play #6 – Lined up at nose tackle (0-technique head up on the center)

Crucial third down for the defense to get off the field following the Lions offensive failed fourth down conversion attempt. Hutchinson and Onwuzurike are both able to win outside to flush Murray out of the pocket and Wingo is there to step up, off of the twist, to force the quarterback to lob up a ball rolling left and off of his back foot. There’s that motor again paying off.

Play #7 – Lined up at right defensive tackle (outside shoulder of the left guard)

In the third quarter, Wingo started to get comfortable. DJ Reader forcefully caves in the pocket against the right guard and Wingo is able to work from the outside shoulder of the left guard to beat the center on his opposite outside shoulder with a swim move. He doesn’t get home but he at least gets his hands up on Murray as he makes the throw. Not much more Wingo can do after beating the double team to disturb that accurate strike from Murray. Really impressive display of his lateral agility on this pass rush.

Play #8 – Lined up at right defensive tackle (3-technique outside shoulder of the left guard)

An ideal scenario for Wingo as he is single-blocked by the left guard. However, Wingo doesn’t come with much of a pass rush plan and allows for the guard to strike squarely and get his hands inside to control Wingo for an easy pass protection. The hope is these are situations where Wingo will start to win more consistently.

Play #9 – Lined up at left defensive tackle (2i-technique inside shoulder of the right guard)

These are the plays that will get the coaching staff fired up. The relentless pursuit is so promising. Wingo has no business catching the running back on the screen pass from behind but helps save the team more yards allowed with his hustle.

Play #10 – Lined up at left defensive end (4i-technique inside shoulder of the right guard)

While the spin move attempt on a crucial fourth down was unsuccessful, at least Wingo is throwing something different at the offensive line and seeing what he’s capable of.

Play #11 – Lined up at right defensive tackle (3-technique outside shoulder of the left guard)

It’s very reassuring that a lot of aspects of Wingo’s game will slowly come along but his no-quit attitude is already there. I don’t know how often a defensive tackle has three chase-down tackles in one game and this time 10+ yards downfield and against a wide receiver. His closing speed will be a strong skill set for getting after the quarterback.

Play #12 – Lined up at left defensive end (4i-technique inside shoulder of the right guard)

Party in the backfield. Similar to Wingo’s best pass rush against the Buccaneers the previous week, Hutchinson just beats him to the quarterback. Great contact balance from Wingo to maintain the edge and slip the guard’s block with the rip move. Plays like these are what made Wingo a Lion and he has more of them in store with increased usage.