Detroit’s investment along the interior defensive line this offseason speaks volumes. Brodric Martin now faces a critical summer to prove he still belongs.
We’re less than a month out from the start of training camp for the Detroit Lions , and our roster series preview rolls along with a look at Brodric Martin—a project that has yet to develop. Will Martin be the latest Day 2 draft pick of Brad Holmes to break through in Year 3, or has Detroit’s offseason of moves along the interior of the defensive line told us everything we need to know about the defensive tackle?
Previous previews: Jameson Williams , Sam LaPorta , Aidan Hutchinson , Jake Bates
Brodric Martin
Expectations heading into 2024
Martin’s unique blend of size and length made him an appealing prospect to two-gap, eat blocks, and use his strength against the run at the line of scrimmage. But ultimately, he was a raw prospect who came in from a smaller school in Western Kentucky, needing time to develop his footwork, pad level, and technique to make an impact at the NFL level.
However, when the Lions made the move to acquire DJ Reader during the 2024 offseason, it was clear Detroit was looking for a more immediate and reliable upgrade to play next to Alim McNeill on early downs. That, too, signaled that Martin’s redshirt rookie season may carry over into his second season, but with a veteran mentor like Reader in his ear, Martin would have the perfect type of pro’s pro to learn from in Year 2.
“He’s a young pup, he’s running around, trying to figure things out, so I can’t wait to get my hands on him and just talk to him,” Reader said about Martin during his introductory press conference. “Talk to him about ball, how to play this position, especially that nose guard position.
“It’s a unique position and there’s a right way to do it and there’s a wrong way to do it and there’s just things you can learn that’ll help you out. Especially, I think you can be asked to take double teams on all the time, so hopefully I can help him a lot.”
Actual role in 2024
Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated
2 games (1 start)
Stats: 1 tackle
PFF defensive grade: 37.9 (189th out of 206 qualifying IDs—minimum 25 snaps)
PFF run defense grade: 42.5 (159th out of 206)
PFF tackling grade: 68.6 (35th out of 206)
PFF pass rush grade: 53.0 (173rd out of 206)
Unfortunately for Martin and his development, a hyperextended knee injury in the Lions’ preseason finale put him on injured reserve for the first 11 weeks of the regular season. He wouldn’t be made active until Week 13’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Chicago Bears —where he played just two snaps on defense. The following week against the Green Bay Packers , Martin would make his only start of the season, logging 23 defensive snaps (46%) in place of the injured Reader and Levi Onwuzurike.
Another season came and went for Martin, and that in and of itself sums it up. He was a healthy inactive for the final four weeks of the season despite the numerous injuries along Detroit’s defensive front. He logged just 25 total snaps on defense, recorded a single tackle, and remained buried on the depth chart.
Outlook for 2025
It’s going to be an uphill climb for Martin coming into his third season. The Lions drafted Tyleik Williams in the first round of the NFL Draft , signed Roy Lopez in free agency to a non-insignificant sum of money, and Reader returns for the second season of his two-year contract. All three of those players, and the veteran Pat O’Connor, who played quite a bit down the stretch for Detroit last year, start the season ahead of Martin on the depth chart.
The work he’s done to take better care of his body from a dietary standpoint —that resulted in him losing over 14 pounds last season—will hopefully carry over into this training camp as he finds himself with a lot of ground to make up. After a couple of redshirt seasons, this feels like a make-or-break summer for the future of Martin’s time in Detroit.