Grading Lions' Pick of DT Brodric Martin at No. 96
Going into the 2023 NFL Draft, the Lions were expected to be on the hunt for an interior defensive lineman. There were several pundits that even expected Detroit general manager Brad Holmes to grab one in the first round (i.e. Georgia's Jalen Carter or Pittsburgh's Calijah Kancey).
Yet, Holmes and the Lions' front office decided to wait to address the position, specifically waiting until the third round and pick No. 96 overall. And, once the pick was announced, it shocked fans and pundits alike.
The selection ended up being nose tackle Brodric Martin, a small-school prospect from Western Kentucky.
It was bad enough that Martin received a seventh-round pre-draft grade from a variety of pundits. But then, on top of that, the Lions dealt three picks to move up to select the Western Kentucky product: a fourth-rounder (No. 122 overall) and two fifth-rounders (No. 139 overall and No. 168 overall).
It was the definition of a reach by Holmes, and it leaves Detroit with just two Day 3 picks: a fifth-round selection (No. 152 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 249 overall).
Martin, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle, played a total of five collegiate seasons, with the first three coming at North Alabama. He then transferred to Western Kentucky for his final two years.
In his time with the Hilltoppers, he notched 62 total tackles, including six for loss, and four sacks.
Martin, a 2022 Conference USA honorable mention and 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl participant, profiles as a run-stuffing nose tackle at the next level.
As Pro Football Focus said about the pick, “The 163rd overall player on the PFF Big Board, this is a bit of a reach for the Lions, but Martin is a big player who can fill a role in the middle of their defensive line at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds. Despite his size, he graded out better as a pass-rusher than a run defender in college and won 9.4% of his pass-rushing snaps in 2022."
Martin certainly could develop into an asset for Detroit’s defense, and definitely will be able to eat up space in the middle of the Lions’ defensive line right away.
However, when factoring in both his limitations on the field and the sheer amount of picks given up to acquire him, I give this pick a “D” grade.
