Alim McNeill nears ACL rehab finish and believes he could suit up if needed, but the Lions will push the final 6-7% to finish building stability around the knee. A return roughly a month after Week 5 versus Cincinnati is plausible. With Levi Onwuzurike out for 2025, Detroit leans on DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams and Roy Lopez to anchor the interior. Lopez has seized more snaps early, while Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes express confidence in the defensive line depth heading into a critical stretch for fantasy rosters.

Packers D/ST stands out in Weeks 3-6 as a top streaming option, with Week 3 vs Browns a clear smash. The guide divides defenses into Temporary, Part-Time, Recruit, and Fool's Gold, and stresses rostering under 50% of ESPN leagues to seize rising value.

Key plays: Colts vs Titans, Chiefs vs Giants, Raiders vs Commanders in Week 3, Chargers vs Giants and 49ers vs Jaguars as Week 4 recruits, and Packers vs Bengals in Week 6. A four-week action plan maps starts and waiver leverage to maximize defensive points.