Sad News: Lions coach Dan Campbell’s warning to defensive Lineman BRODRIC MARTIN

The Detroit Lions have bolstered their defense this offseason with key additions that could significantly enhance the unit in the 2024 season. However, a player already on the roster who could contribute to this improvement is second-year defensive lineman Brodric Martin.

Selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Martin saw limited action in his rookie season, suiting up for just three games.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have expressed satisfaction with Martin’s performance in OTAs this spring. However, both coaches have been cautious about setting high expectations for the 25-year-old, emphasizing that he still needs to prove himself.

Campbell emphasized on May 23 that Martin must continue to show progress over the summer. “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.”

Including the playoffs, Martin was inactive for 17 of Detroit’s 20 games during the 2023-24 campaign. In the three games he played, he recorded three combined tackles.

Martin entered the league with considerable attention for a Day 2 draft pick. However, he played only 28 defensive snaps in his rookie season.

Late last year, the Lions added 35-year-old defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, who secured a role in the team’s defensive

line rotation in December and during the playoffs, while Martin remained a healthy scratch.

Glenn, like Campbell, emphasized Martin’s hard work but noted that summer workouts will be more indicative than OTAs.

“The thing that we do know is the mentality is there, so since the mentality is there, now let’s see

if that’s going to actually happen when training camp comes,” Glenn told reporters on May 23. “So you guys see

exactly, or you guys will hear exactly what you need to hear once the pads come on.”

He’s been working with Martin extensively in one-on-one, individualized sessions.

In other words, if any coach can maximize Martin’s potential, it’s Williams. However, the Lions now have more depth on the defensive line than they did last year.

In free agency, the Lions signed defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who is expected to start alongside rising star Alim McNeill. They also drafted defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round.

Defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike, John Cominsky, Josh Paschal, and Kyle Peko could also compete with Martin for playing time at defensive tackle. While Cominsky and Paschal typically play more at edge rusher, they have the versatility to line up inside as well.

If Martin is going to see significantly more playing time in 2024, he will have to earn it.

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