As training camp inches closer, the Detroit Lions are staring down tough roster decisions — and one former high draft pick might not survive the cut.
Defensive tackle Brodric Martin, once thought to be a developmental gem with sky-high potential, is now fighting for his NFL life. Drafted in the third round back in 2023, Martin was seen as a physical specimen with a massive 6’5″, 320-pound frame. The Lions hoped time and coaching would mold him into a powerful interior presence next to Alim McNeill.
But two seasons later, that experiment may be nearing its end.
Martin’s career has been more mystery than impact. In two years, he’s played in just five games and logged only four tackles — with zero tackles for loss, sacks, or QB hits. Injuries haven’t helped his case either: a hyperextended knee in 2024 put him on injured reserve for most of the season. And even when healthy, he barely saw the field, often landing on the inactive list as a healthy scratch.
Meanwhile, the Lions have reloaded their defensive front. With veterans like DJ Reader and Roy Lopez, young studs like Tyleik Williams and Ahmed Hassanein, and the return of Levi Onwuzurike, the defensive tackle room is crowded — and getting more competitive by the day.
General manager Brad Holmes has even publicly pointed out Martin’s lack of progress, a rare move that suggests the leash has gotten very short.
For a team looking to win now, there’s little room for players who can’t contribute. Martin may still have raw tools, but Detroit no longer has the time — or the roster space — to keep waiting on potential that hasn’t materialized.
Unless Martin has a lights-out training camp, this once-promising pick could end up being one of the few big misses from an otherwise strong 2023 draft class.
The writing’s on the wall. And for Brodric Martin, it’s now or never in Detroit.
Detroit’s Patience Wearing Thin With Disappointing D-Line Project
