The Detroit Lions have made it a priority to become one of the best run-stuffing teams in the NFL in the 2025 NFL offseason. In separate moves, GM Brad Holmes chose to retain defensive tackles DJ Reader and Levi Onwuzurike while spending a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Ohio State star Tyleik Williams.
One player who was supposed to play a big role in beefing up the interior of the defensive line was Western Kentucky space-eater Brodric Martin, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft when very few pre-draft analysts had him going that high. Detroit’s faith in the Shrine Bowl standout has not paid off for them.
Martin has been pushed so far down on the depth chart that it seems as though the only chance he has for extended playing time would be an injury to someone ahead of them. The Lions may end up deciding the Williams pick is enough to cut ties with Martin, who needs to prove himself in OTAs and the preseason if he wants to remain in Honolulu blue.
Former Lions Top 100 pick Brodric Martin could be on his way out with poor preseason
Martin has played in just five games during his NFL career due to a combination of injuries and his own poor performance. He was always going to be a developmental dart throw, but his health has made it even more complicated for him to get the appropriate reps he needs to iron out the problems in his game.
As it stands right now, Martin is a one-dimensional space-eater who will need to beat out multiple other run-stuffers on the roster just to see the field. Martin’s best hope at this point is to end up somehow winning the No. 4 defensive tackle spot, which isn’t exactly a glamour role to begin with.
Williams and recently-extended Alim McNeil will receive major playing time, as will Reader and Onwuzurike. Martin will need to convince Dan Campbell that 2024 draftee Mekhi Wingo and free agent signing Roy Lopez (who was a reliable starter in Arizona last year) are inferior players.
Martin was a Top 100 pick, meaning he will get every opportunity to prove he can play. However, if he hasn’t taken a step forward, and his performance in the preseason and OTAs reinforces that idea, he might need to start looking for work elsewhere.
