When the Detroit Lions selected Brodric Martin from Western Kentucky in the third round (No. 96 overall) last year, general manager Brad Holmes discussed his rawness, potential, and the need for him to grow.
“He just has, as we say, a lot of meat on the bone,” Holmes explained at the time. “He has a lot of potential. He’s a big man, athletic, and plays hard. He chases after the ball. I don’t think I’ve seen many 330-, 340-pounders rush to the ball like he does, so when you get that – he has some rawness, but we’re very excited about his potential.”
Players develop at varying rates. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta entered the NFL this year and made immediate contributions, while others, such as linebacker Derrick Barnes and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, may take longer to demonstrate their full potential.
Barnes made the diving interception that advanced the Lions to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 32 years. Melifonwu’s interception in Week 16 against Minnesota secured Detroit’s first NFC North title in 30 years.
Barnes, in his third season, has turned into a steady and productive contributor. The same goes for Melifonwu, who, like Martin, was a third-round choice out of Syracuse in Holmes’ inaugural draft in 2021. He transitioned from cornerback to safety in the middle of last season and was a key player down the stretch this year after being given the opportunity to start his third season. Melifonwu’s late-season sack productivity came when he landed in Detroit with this coaching staff.
The Lions are hopeful Martin can make a significant improvement in his second season after being primarily inactive on game day. Outside of game action, Martin was able to practice and develop on the 53-man roster throughout the season.
He also got to sit in the same room as veteran defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who had a breakout season in his third year after deciding to lose body fat and develop speed and bend.
Martin stated that he intends to adopt a similar approach to his body and craft this offseason.
“It’s a big transformation he made,” Martin told detroitlions.com of McNeill’s offseason effort. “He had a significant turnaround when he entered Year 3. Obviously, he became a better player. So it’s something I’m absolutely going to focus on and try to improve.”
There is no questioning Martin’s physical abilities. He is a tremendous interior load at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, with athleticism and power. Martin’s skill set may truly shine if it’s cultivated, as this coaching staff has demonstrated with players.
“He was just a favorite for me and Dan (Campbell) – not in terms of what Brodric is right now, we were so excited about what Brodric can become,” Holmes told reporters following the draft.
If Martin works as hard this offseason as McNeill did last, there’s a chance that the promise the Lions perceive in him will translate into production in 2024.
“Each week. “Every week. Martin stated that his ambition for next season is to play a larger role in the defense. “Be an impact player.”
