By Moses Joshua 
Former Third-Round Pick Brodric Martin Faces Long Odds to Make Final 53-Man Roster Amid Deep Competition
A Once-Promising Prospect Now on the Roster Bubble
As the Detroit Lions work to finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the 2025 season, tough decisions are looming—particularly for players on the fringe. One such player is defensive tackle Brodric Martin, a former third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, whose future with the team is now in serious jeopardy.
Martin, who signed a four-year, $5.5 million rookie contract two years ago, arrived in Detroit with high hopes after flashing potential at Western Kentucky. The Lions envisioned him as a developmental force on the interior defensive line. But after appearing in just five games over two seasons and logging only four total tackles with zero sacks, his NFL journey in Detroit may soon hit a crossroads.
NFL analyst Chris Schad of Detroit Jock City laid it out bluntly in a June 23 feature, predicting that Martin could be cut before training camp even begins. Schad writes that Martin “has also made minimal impact when he’s been on the field,” and notes the uphill battle he faces in a now-crowded defensive tackle room.
Detroit’s Defensive Line Picture Has Changed Drastically
When Martin was drafted, the Lions’ interior defensive line was a work in progress. Today, it’s a far more competitive and deep unit.
With the addition of Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, and Mekhi Wingo—not to mention returners like Levi Onwuzurike—Martin finds himself buried on the depth chart. Even if Alim McNeill is unavailable early in the season, Schad argues the Lions may still prefer to allocate that roster spot elsewhere, possibly to bolster a suddenly fierce competition at linebacker.
“It’s more of a possibility that he won’t be on the team when camp begins,” Schad added. “He’ll need the training camp of his life just to make the active roster.”
If Martin is indeed waived, it will be a stark fall from grace for a player Detroit once viewed as a building block.
Lions Turning the Page—But the Future Remains Bright
While Martin’s time in Detroit may be nearing an end, the Lions continue to stockpile young talent. One of the most notable bright spots is rookie guard Tate Ratledge, who was recently named by Fox Sports’ Rob Rang as Detroit’s top rookie.
Rang described Ratledge as “a potentially dominant blocker” with the potential to become “a long-time pillar up front” for a Lions offensive line that’s already among the league’s best.
As Detroit eyes another playoff run, the franchise appears focused on building around players who show consistent development and durability—two things Martin, unfortunately, has yet to demonstrate at the NFL level.
Whether Martin gets one last chance to prove himself in training camp or ends up elsewhere, his story is a cautionary tale of how quickly potential can fade in a league driven by performance. For the Lions, the message is clear: the standard has risen, and roster spots must be earned.