The Detroit Lions announced on Monday they had waived former 2023 third round pick Brodric Martin from the team ahead of the 53-man roster deadline Tuesday. The news was shared by Mike Payton of A to Z Sports. Payton added in his reporting that it's unclear whether the team plans on bringing Martin back to the practice squad if he goes unclaimed.
Martin had a long road ahead of him in terms of trying to make the roster after getting injured before the 2024 season, only appearing for the Lions as an active player on the roster in November of that year. He had to fight for a spot on the defensive line behind some really great effort from UDFA Nate Lynn, Tyleik Williams, and a freshly healthy Mekhi Wingo.
With this waiving, it's obvious that Detroit has accepted that they swung and missed on two draft picks in the 2023 NFL draft. Hendon Hooker was released earlier today, and now Martin has been waived as a means of accepting defeat on a bad Brad Holmes draft class.
Martin waived after tough preseason, training camp
Martin did not necessarily look bad in the preseason or training camp, but it was going to be hard to compete when Wingo was announced as a healthy addition back to the lineup ahead of the regular season. Additionally, it just feels like Martin knew the writing was on the wall for him considering his approach to camp this year.
“I’m not worried about that, man. If it happens, God made it happen, and if it don’t happen, God made that happen, too. I’m just going to go out there and have fun. I’m not going to worry about (repping with) two’s, three’s, none of that s**t. Just ball," said Martin to reporters earlier this month after being asked about making the final 53-man roster.
READ MORE: Lions send crystal clear message about final roster by waiving Ian Kennelly
It feels like the Lions are also getting interestingly thin on the defensive side of things, with Martin just one of several defenders waived on Monday. Ian Kennelly, Erick Hallett, Luq Barcoo, and Nick Whiteside highlight the list of players surprisingly waived by Detroit.
It makes you wonder whether the team is gearing up for the return of Za'Darius Smith, who could slot in immediately at the Lions' pass rush. These waivings, plus the waiving of Dan Skipper, all point to a return for Smith that the Lions can afford.