Brodric Martin NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive Tackle/Interior Defensive Lineman
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 330 pounds
School: Western Kentucky
2023 NFL Draft: Brodric Martin Scouting Report
Martin began his college career in 2017 as a redshirt freshman at the University of North Alabama. In his second season with the Lions, in 2018, Martin saw his first action, playing in all 10 of North Alabama’s games, including a start. For the season Martin totaled 27 tackles (13 solo, 14 assisted). Martin became the starter at defensive tackle, starting all 11 games for the Lions while making 43 total tackles (21 solos, 22 assisted) including two sacks. He also defended against two passes. In the Covid-19 shortened season of 2020, Martin played in all four of the Lions games, recording 11 total tackles.
After the 2020 season, Martin headed North to the Bluegrass State and Western Kentucky University. In his first season in 2021 for the Hilltoppers, Martin played in all 14 of WKU’s games. He had 31 tackles (12 solo, 19 assisted), including two and a half sacks, while also recovering a fumble and defending against a pass. In his final season in 2022, Martin started all 14 games, matching his total for tackles from the previous season (31; 15 solo, 16 assisted). He included 1.5sacks, forcing a fumble, and defended against two passes.
Strengths
- Strong upper body;
- Top-notch hand-fighter;
- Explosive off the snap;
- Gets off blockers quickly and efficiently;
- Very powerful.
Weaknesses
- Often, his first step is up instead of forward/straight ahead;
- Needs to be able to transition better from shedding block to getting in the hole;
- Bull rush is subpar;
- Needs to be more persistent in his effort of trying to get to the ball carrier; gives up too easily;
- Age (26 in May), and level of competition he played against in college (ASUN, Conference USA).
NFL Comparison: Leki Fotu, 2.0
Teams With Need At Position: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints
Projection: Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line on Brodric Martin
Brodric Martin has the potential to play in the NFL, which will likely make him a pick in either round five or round six. Martin has a strong upper body, is a top-notch hand fighter, and is usually explosive off of the snap. He has the ability to get off his blocks quickly and efficiently. He also possesses unique power. Where he lacks and thus, the reasons teams may steer away from him, are, that his first step is typically up instead of forward/straight ahead. His bull rush is also subpar and he needs to do a better job of shedding his block and getting in position to make a tackle, in the hole.
He also needs to show that he can be more persistent when trying to make a play instead of just firing off the ball and if not successful after that initial push, giving up. Teams will also be conscious of the fact that in a month Martin will be 26 years old. They will also be cognizant that he played at the University of North Alabama, which is an FCS school and does not have the level of competition of an FBS program.
They will also (and maybe unfairly), see that Western Kentucky plays in a nonpower five conference. Teams may be inclined to believe that the level of competition there was low as well. Whether that belief is accurate is largely opinion based. Because of his potential alone, a team will make Martin one of their picks in the later rounds in Kansas City, in 10 days.
Main Image: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
