What Detroit Lions Hiring Terrell Williams Means for Brodric Martin

The Detroit Lions made their first hire of the offseason early, adding Terrell Williams as their new defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator. 

A veteran coach with ties to the organization, Williams brings a new face who could help the line improve. While the unit was among the league's best against the run, it struggled to get home and generate pressure against opposing passers. 

Another party who could benefit from a new face in the room is Brodric Martin. Viewed as a developmental player, Martin spent most of his rookie season as a healthy scratch while at the bottom of the depth chart. 

Martin received praise from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn at points during the season. Though he didn't get a ton of opportunities, Martin was improving on the practice field. 

In total, his rookie season finished with two tackles in just three appearances. He played only 28 defensive snaps.

The Lions have high hopes for the defensive lineman, choosing him in the third round of last year's NFL Draft. They've maintained the idea that he was a prospect, and that he had room to grow. 

Now, Williams will join the fold with an effort to aid Martin's development. The traits and frame set him up to be a solid player in the future, but he must continue to fine tune the details. 

Fortunately for Martin, Williams has experience developing unheralded talents into solid players. 

"The Detroit Lions are getting an outstanding motivator and teacher in Terrell Williams," said Titans NFL reporter Justin Melo. "His familiarity with Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes, and Ben Johnson from previous stops should help him make a seamless transition. In Tennessee, Williams routinely developed undrafted free agents such as Teair Tart."

Martin has the necessary size to be a force against the run, and the Lions seem to like his agility for the position as well. To continue on the right track, he must demonstrate the ability to win with his hands as well as using his size to overwhelm opponents.

Williams can play a part in that. He has plenty of experience in the league and has delivered results, especially during his time with the Tennessee Titans. 

Tennessee has developed some solid talent under his watch, including Jeffrey Simmons. A first round pick in 2019, Simmons has twice been a second-team All-Pro selection.

Prior to Tennessee, he was in Miami from 2015-17. In that time, he worked with players such as Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. He also spent many years at the college level and was once Brad Holmes' position coach at North Carolina A&T.

"The team often got the most out of veteran journeymen who failed to meet expectations elsewhere such as DeMarcus Walker and Mario Edwards Jr., both of whom turned their production into bigger contracts elsewhere," Melo said. "And of course, there were superstars like Jeffery Simmons along the way. Williams' players love him and they play hard for him. He'll be a terrific asset to the development of guys like Alim McNeil and Brodric Martin."

Now, Williams is tasked with developing Martin, along with Detroit's other interior linemen. Other players who could benefit from his presence include Alim McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike. 

With nearly 30 seasons of coaching experience under his belt and having worked with a number of talented defenders, Williams could wind up being a perfect fit for Detroit's young and talented defensive line.