As the 3rd Round of the 2023 NFL Draft was ending, it seemed like the Detroit Lions were provided for the night. It felt as if they were going to win Hendon Hooker, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch to make day 2 of the draft a success.
Shockingly, the Lions went up to the 96th total choice and chosen Western Kentucky defensive lineman Brodric Martin. The redshirt Senior protective lineman stands 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds. While he didn’t get a welcome to the Scouting Combine, he did carry out at the Western Kentucky professional day. Here’s his arise from that professional day:
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.36
- 3-Cone Drill: 8.16
- Shuttle bus: 4.94
- Vertical Jump: 25 ″
- Long jump: 8’4 ″
Not excessively explosive or quick however when you place on the tape, you can see a physical protector with a motor that runs hot. Prior to betting Western Kentucky, he dipped into North Alabama. After 25 video games there, he moved to the Hilltoppers where he played 28 video games. Let’s dive into the movie and breakdown what Martin succeeds and where he suits Detroit!
Active hands and active feet
Through the 2 video games that I enjoyed of Brodric Martin in the last 12 hours, it right away stood apart how he’s constantly got his eyes locked into the backfield. Whether it’s the quarterback or the running back, he’s browsing to discover a method to return there. Due to his size, it’s challenging to move him so he’s able to preserve his space when fighting 1-on-1 versus a guard or.
Taking a look at the play above, you’ll see Martin lined up as a zero-shade (outdoors shoulder of the center). As the ball is snapped, he brushes off the center prior to working his method to the guard. At the same time, see his feet move while he keeps his direct to look for the football. As the quarterback takes the developed add the middle, you’ll see Martin rapidly reroute to the quarterback to aid with the deal with.
Length and power to eliminate pressure with pressure
As an interior protective lineman, it’s essential to have the capability to capture obstructs down. To achieve this, you’ll require to produce separation and battle pressure with pressure. For Martin, he saw a considerable boost in overall snaps played in 2022 compared to previous years. Last season, he had 500 overall snaps (per PFF) used defense which’s well over 200+ snaps from his very first season at Western Kentucky.
See the play above and you’ll see Martin lined up in the A-gap. As the left guard actions down, Martin does a fantastic task remaining square and utilizes his 34 3/8 ″ arms to develop separation. While doing so, he keeps his pad level low while utilizing his strength to drive the guard into the little opening.
The Hilltoppers linebacker (# 1) does terrific task satisfying the pulling take on into the hole to make the deal with. It aids with Martin playing in front of that linebacker as he consumes area and drives the opposition into the hole to make hurrying lanes smaller sized.
Total Projection
Entering into the 2023 NFL Draft, it appeared that the Detroit Lions required to resolve the interior of their protective line. It’s been good to see Alim McNeil and Isaiah Buggs take functions there, however they required more. Most notably, they required size. Detroit get that by choosing Brodric Martin from Western Kentucky.
His huge frame and total strength is going to be difficult to beat in the A and B-gaps. Per PFF, Martin played all over the protective line for the Hilltoppers. He had actually 189 snaps lined up as a nose take on and over 200 snaps lined up as a 4i-technique versus both left and best takes on.
When viewing Martin, I liked his motor. It regularly runs hot and he ferrets out offending gamers on a constant basis. At 337 pounds, his weight will need to be kept track of, however he must supply an effect as a rotational gamer on early downs. There are times that he resists double groups and there are times that he raises his pad level when looking for the backfield. He’s an older gamer that will be 24 years of ages next month, however he includes much-needed size and depth to the Lions’ interior.
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