Brodric Martin is a big man with a huge opportunity. With veteran nose tackle DJ Reader sidelined to start training camp, an absence that could stretch into the season, Martin has been getting lots of work with the Lions' first-team defense next to Alim McNeill.
It's a crucial camp for Martin. Drafted in the third round last year as a project, this is the year he needs to start making an impact. He will be held to a higher standard. That came through Tuesday when Dan Campbell was asked about Martin's performance thus far in camp and said, "I would say it’s been up and down."
Martin played sparingly as a rookie, suiting up in just three games. For a man his size -- 6'5, 330 lbs. -- he was pushed around rather easily, especially in his debut against the Raiders. One of the things the Lions want him to clean up this year, said Campbell, "is staying more square."
"You’re starting to see it, and then once he gets square, now he loses some of his power. He’s so focused on being square, he forgets to anchor, or his footwork gets out of whack," Campbell said. "Listen, it’s a work in progress and it's up and down right now, but the kid is working at it and Terrell's on him. I would anticipate that he’s going to continue to grow."
Terrell would be Terrell Williams, the best defensive line coach in the NFL if you ask Campbell. Williams joined Campbell's staff this offseason after several years with the Titans and could be the key to unlocking Martin's potential. Asked about Williams after Wednesday's walk-through practice, Martin said, "He means the world to me."
"He really brought me in and sat me down and told me exactly what I need to do and how I need to do it," Martin said. "And he’s been coaching me. He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve ever had on the D-line."
Martin has NFL size and strength. He's the biggest defensive player on the Lions' roster this side of Reader. He plays smaller when he gets hung up on the intricacies of his job. The details matter, but they can also be restricting. Marin feels like he's playing more freely in year two, which should help him carve out a bigger role in Detroit's defense.
"As long as I’m locked in and keyed on my man before the snap, I feel like I can do that way better this year," he said. "Last year I was way overthinking a lot of stuff, but now I feel like I can play faster."
Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, who's seen a lot of Martin in camp, said that it's "been a fun battle with big Brod. He’s a big, strong, explosive guy. He’s just gotta keep pushing every single day, but he’s definitely getting better."
Martin will get a break from Ragnow when the Lions go to New York next week for joint practices with the Giants. He smiled and said he's "ready to put my newfound confidence and talent toward another team."
If Martin takes a step forward this year, the Lions will look smarter for drafting him where they did. And the defensive line will look deeper than it already does. For Martin, a successful season would be an impactful one.
"Whatever my role is, whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, just starring in my role," he said.