With the 47th pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders selected Jartavius Martin, CB Illinois.
This comes as a surprise, seeing the Commanders chose a CB in the first round last night, and Cody Mauch, an offensive tackle, was thought high enough by the Tampa Bay Bucs that they selected Mauch with the very next selection.
Coach Ron Rivera has often spoken of how much he looks for “position flex.” Well, he might not find anyone more able to fill more roles than Martin. Last season, Martin spend considerable time playing deep safety, in the box, wide corner and in the slot.
Rivera loves "position flex"
Jartavius Martin alignment last year:
– 177 snaps as deep safety
– 44 snaps in the box
– 75 snaps as wide corner
– 493 snaps in the slot— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) April 29, 2023
JP Finlay
Why take Jartavius Martin? He crushed the Combine and excels in nickel role. Super versatile. It’s kinda weird though to have a low ranked offense with a unproven QB and use 1st and 2nd picks on defensive backs though. pic.twitter.com/2fDvUUnEMA
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 29, 2023
Martin a good athlete
2.47 S Jartavius Martin (Illinois)
"Martin needs to become a better finisher, but he is an outstanding athlete with cover skills, tackling attitude and above-average football character. Though he offers experience across the secondary, he is best suited inside as a nickel… pic.twitter.com/EaPJc75eDc
— We Want Dallas (@WeWantDallas) April 29, 2023
Rivera told us he liked their OL additions
To be clear: I have no problem with Jartavius Martin as a prospect. I also think the middle of the 2nd round makes sense for him.
I just didn't really believe Ron Rivera when he said he was happy with their FA haul on the offensive line. But man did he mean it.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 29, 2023
NBC Analyst Chris Simms loves this pick!!
Yea mofo!!! One of my man crushes in the draft. The @Commanders got one of the biggest ballers in the draft!! Jartavius Martin is my favorite nickel/free safety type. He is a psycho in a good way!!
I love it!!— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 29, 2023
Pick hated by this Commanders fan
Absoloutley hate the #Commanders pick at 47. Cody Mauch would have been the perfect pick. Need help on the offensive line and he is incredibly versatile. Jartavius Martin might be a terrific player and I hope he is but this was an absolute bizarre pick by Ron Rivera and company.
— DC Sports Buzz (@DCSportsBuzzz) April 29, 2023
A surprised Commanders fan
Jartavius Martin is a dawg but I’m surprised they haven’t taken an Offensive lineman yet
— Eddy Del Negro (@EDtoooFLATT) April 29, 2023
Already calling for Coach Rivera's job?
Emmanuel Forbes & now Jartavius Martin. I think Rivera's days are numbered as the Commanders HC. What is you doing? https://t.co/gK3seQo0W2
— Kai Ching (@FalconInHawaii) April 29, 2023
Grant Paulsen already wondering about cutting Kendall Fuller?
Commanders' CB depth:
Benjamin St. Juste
Emmanuel Forbes
Kendall Fuller
Jartavius Martin
Cameron Dantzler
Danny Johnson
Christian Holmes
Rachad Wildgoose1) I could see moving on from Fuller, freeing $8.5M cap space.
2) They should not take another one in the 3rd round.— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 29, 2023
Commanders secondary trending upward?
47) WAS: Jartavius Martin – S/Illinois
Had a first round ground on the nickel safety that could credibly play outside corner as well. Blew up the combine, arguably the best tackling DB in class, and has WR-caliber ball skills. WAS secondary 📈 big time
— David Syvertsen (@Ourlads_Sy) April 29, 2023
