The Detroit Lions are hard at work finalizing their 53-man roster heading into the 2025 season — and a once-promising third-round pick may soon find himself on the outside looking in.
Brodric Martin’s Time in Detroit Could Be Running Out
After being selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Brodric Martin was expected to become a key contributor on Detroit’s defensive front. But two years later, his production hasn’t come close to matching expectations. Martin has appeared in just five games, recording only four total tackles and no sacks.
Now, as the Lions prepare for training camp, Chris Schad of Detroit Jock City believes Martin could be cut before camp even begins. Detroit’s depth at defensive tackle has increased with the return of Levi Onwuzurike, the addition of Roy Lopez, and the arrival of first-round pick Tyleik Williams. Sixth-round rookie Mekhi Wingo is also in the mix and seen as the front-runner for a key backup role.
While Alim McNeill continues to recover from a torn ACL, that injury likely won’t be enough to save Martin’s spot. The Lions are expected to prioritize deeper units, such as the linebacker room, which features an intense 10-player competition.
Unless Martin delivers the camp of his life, his $5.5 million rookie deal may not be enough to save his roster spot. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a player once viewed as a high-upside interior anchor.
Rookie Guard Tate Ratledge Earning Praise
On a more positive note, the Lions appear to have struck gold in this year’s rookie class. Fox Sports’ Rob Rang recently highlighted guard Tate Ratledge as one of the best rookies across the entire NFL. Rang praised his potential to become a dominant, long-term presence up front, especially at a position where Detroit hasn’t always excelled.
With Jared Goff behind center and a deep backfield led by Jahmyr Gibbs, Ratledge’s development could be a huge piece of Detroit’s offensive puzzle going forward.
