The Detroit Lions outperformed expectations in the 2024 regular season, but not every player did. Who underwhelmed the most?
Last week I asked you which Detroit Lions player exceeded expectations the most in 2024. There were plenty to choose from. That’s what happens when you go 15-2. However, now we look on the flip side. The Lions certainly had their fair share of players who underwhelmed this year, be it solidified veterans who struggled or younger guys who just didn’t live up to the hype. Who’s your pick?
Question of the day: Which Detroit Lions player underwhelmed the most in 2024?
There aren’t as many candidates for this one, but a few come to mind. On offense, Graham Glasgow struggled down the stretch. He has been solid as a starter throughout both of his tenures as a Lion, but things fell apart late in the season. Christian Mahogany filled in for Glasgow for one game and folks were calling for the rookie to take over the starting job.
On defense, two candidates stand out to me. On the one hand, Ifeatu Melifonwu simply didn’t see the field much this year due to injury. After breaking out to end 2023, Melifonwu missed almost the entire regular season before arriving just in time for the playoffs. You can’t meet expectations, let alone exceed them, if you’re not on the field. On a similar note, Brodric Martin also missed the majority of his sophomore season with a knee injury. Two years in, Martin has almost nothing to show for it on the field.
My answer: Brodric Martin is my pick. I know the Lions were betting on his upside when taking him and it’s hard to tap into that potential when you’re injured, but he’s just at a disappointing spot for two years in. Even after getting healthy, his limited action in 2024 was underwhelming. He was constantly driven well past the line of scrimmage by opposing linemen and failed to plug holes in the interior of the defense, which should be his foremost ability.
Martin finished the season with just two games played and a single tackle to show for it. Even if you saw year two as another mostly developmental year for Martin, those numbers are underwhelming. Hopefully a full offseason at full health will give him an opportunity to take a big step forward heading into year three.
Which Detroit Lions player underwhelmed the most in 2024? Let us know in the comments.