Washington Commanders defensive back Quan Martin endured an up-and-down season as a rookie. A new coaching staff should lead to positive results for Martin. He should enjoy a breakout season in 2024.
The No. 48 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Martin had to earn Ron Rivera's trust as a rookie. The former Illinois standout began the season as a reserve player who saw most of his snaps via special teams. Martin played his first defensive snap in a Week 6 matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. Even then, he played seven measly snaps. He followed up that part-time opportunity with 10 combined snaps in the following two contests. It wasn’t until Week 12 that Martin began consistently seeing the field, playing 37 snaps, accounting for 69% of Washington’s defensive plays.
Watch out for Quan Martin this season with the Commanders.
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 1, 2024
I know the coaching staff really likes him.
Quan told me that he is, "building off what I did last year, just know what I'm capable of." pic.twitter.com/cPAQYigmmE
Martin became a permanent fixture down the late-season stretch. He played every single snap in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams and 90% of them in Week 17 versus the San Francisco 49ers. The results were largely promising.
Rivera and his coaching staff primarily saw Martin as a nickel corner. He played 191 of his 365 snaps in the slot. Pro Football Focus credited Martin with allowing 22 receptions on 26 targets for 285 yards and two touchdowns.
All in all, Martin appeared in 16 contests with five starts. The Lehigh Acres, Florida native concluded his rookie campaign with 46 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions. The ball production was impressive given the lower snap count.
The Commanders made sweeping changes this offseason. Former 49ers executive Adam Peters is the new general manager. Rivera and his staff were relieved of their duties. Ex-Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the new head coach. Quinn appointed Joe Whitt as his DC. Martin's path has been altered as a result.
While the previous staff saw Martin as a slot corner, the new one sees him as more of a traditional do-it-all safety. Peters drafted former Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil to be the nickel. He'll join Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes at cornerback.
Quinn and Whitt envision Martin and free-agent signing Jeremy Chinn as their starting safeties. Versatility and football IQ make Martin an outstanding candidate to thrive in this role. He's capable of playing both safety spots, playing down in the box towards the line of scrimmage, or roaming the defensive backfield. He can still line up at nickel on occasion if Sanristil kicks outside.
The moved to Safety looks to be a damn good one for Quan Martin, as the former 2nd round pick has the size (6'0" 195), speed (4.46 40), athleticism (44" vert and over 11' broad), and instincts (64 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT, 11 PD, 2 FF as a senior at Illinois) to be an…
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 4, 2024
Martin shouldn't face much competition for playing time, either. Washington's backup safeties are Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler. Forrest was a starter in 2023 until he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury—Butler replaced him in the lineup. The current expectation is that they’ll play behind Martin and Chinn. Last year’s primary starter, Kam Curl, is no longer on the roster.
Martin flashed high-level potential when he finally earned playing time as a rookie. The sophomore will be a keynote player for Quinn's defense in 2024. Martin is capable of having a breakout year.