When the Detroit Lions drafted Tyleik Williams in the first round of the 2025 draft, it was a bit of a head-scratcher. The team could have taken a pass rusher here or even with the 2nd round pick they held, but instead, they took a run-stopper in Williams to shore up the other end of the defensive line.
Williams wasn't a bad pick, for what it's worth - he was seen as one of the best defensive tackles available in this draft. While injury has held him out of minicamp so far, he's projected to be a starter for the Lions this year. And, that could spell bad news for a past rookie pick that has yet to get a shot at true time with Detroit - Brodric Martin.
Martin, a third round pick for the Lions back in 2023, was one of the pieces to the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff puzzle. That pick was sent to Detroit as part of that quarterback swap, but Martin hasn't had nearly the same success as some other pieces to that trade. Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs were all taken using picks sent by the Los Angeles Rams - just like Martin.
In his two seasons with the Lions, Martin has played in five total games. He just hasn't found a role on this squad, and that potential becomes even smaller if Williams manages to start in his rookie year at tackle.
Williams could end up blocking Martin from seeing playing time (again)
Health is going to be the biggest concern here. Williams is stil rehabbing and ramping up to action ahead of training camp with Detroit, so we've still yet to see if he can be healthy enough to start the season on the D-line. If not, then Martin could end up earning a spot there while Williams ends up waiting in the wings.
But, not getting your first rounder playing time is never going to be a good look, no matter the team. If Williams is healthy within the first few weeks of the season, and Martin hasn't been able to etch a spot on the line permanently, he's the odd man out immediately.
Detroit has a new defensive coordinator running things in Kelvin Sheppard, so we don't know what sort of schemes he's going to lean on for his defensive line. However, as someone who was working under Aaron Glenn, it's hard to imagine a world where Martin will get a ton of rope if he's unable to take advantage of an opportunity while Williams is out - and vice versa.
