Former Lions 3rd-Round Pick on Thin Ice as Training Camp Approaches

The Detroit Lions took a big chance on a small-school defensive lineman in 2023, using a third-round pick on Western Kentucky standout Brodric Martin with the hope that he could boost the team’s shaky defensive line.

Two years later, the team could be facing a final decision on Martin as he struggles to reach the potential that led the Lions to draft him. One analyst suggested that Martin could find himself in a struggle to make the team’s final roster, even in a reserve role.

‘Now or Never’ for Brodric Martin

The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy broke down all players on the roster for the Lions as the team heads into the final month before training camp, noting that they have reached a crossroads with Martin. After two years of struggling to make an impact on the field, it could be time for the Lions to cut ties with Martin.

“It feels like now or never for Martin,” Pouncy wrote. “The former third-round pick has yet to make an impact in the NFL and was passed up by practice-squad players last season when DT depth was thin. The Lions have had conversations with Martin about expectations, so this is nothing he doesn’t already know.”

Martin appeared in just three games in his rookie season and two in 2024, making four total tackles and playing only a total of 53 defensive snaps. It was likely not the production the Lions envisioned when they used a third-round pick on Martin, who was otherwise projected as a sixth- or seventh-round pick leading into the NFL draft.

Pouncy suggested that this could be the last chance for Martin to prove himself worthy of a roster spot.

“In a perfect world, the light comes on and he proves serviceable in a rotational role, setting him up to be the third DT next season behind McNeill and Williams,” Pouncy wrote. “But the clock is ticking.”

Lions Have Put Pressure on Martin in the Past

The Lions have been vocal about Martin’s struggles, with head coach Dan Campbell offering a bit of encouragement — along with a dose of pressure — in the 2024 offseason. Campbell said Martin showed improvements at OTAs, saying he would need to show another step at training camp that year.

“Look, the kid wants it, he’s working, and he’s improving,” Campbell said. “And we’ll just, he’s another guy, we’ve just got to get him reps and training camp’s going to be pivotal for him with the pads on.”

That ultimately didn’t happen, with Martin landing on injured reserve in August and not appearing in games until November.

The Lions are facing pressure to build on their back-to-back NFC North titles after last season ended with an early playoff exit. Their defense struggled at times, especially in the playoffs as the Washington Commanders scored 45 points in a divisional-round win.

The defensive line has been one of the biggest points of weakness, especially the pass rush that struggled to generate consistent pressure after star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury in October.