The Washington Commanders didn’t have many draft success stories from Ron Rivera’s four years in charge, but defensive back Quan Martin was one. A second-round pick out of Illinois in the 2023 NFL draft, Martin appeared in 16 games as a rookie, making five starts and finishing with 46 tackles.
Rivera and his staff were fired after the 2023 season, replaced by Dan Quinn. Quinn, one of the NFL’s top defensive coordinators, brought with him a coaching staff with plenty of success developing defensive backs. Martin started 16 games last season, recording 87 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. And he did it with two injured shoulders.
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This offseason, Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. praised Martin. Whitt said he believes Martin can be one of the NFL’s top safeties.
So, it was no surprise that Bleacher Report recently named Martin Washington’s most promising building block.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has already established himself as the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler. Quan Martin deserves recognition as the unheralded building block on the Washington Commanders roster.
Martin plays at an undervalued position, but he’s made a meaningful impact on the back end of the Commanders defense, logging seven pass breakups, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. In 2024, he allowed a 75.3 passer rating and a 50 percent completion rate in coverage.
While it’s too early for Martin to sign an extension, he may be in line for a new deal next offseason. Martin has worked his way into a starting role and doesn’t have strong competition for the lead position.
Martin made strides between his rookie and second seasons. As the Commanders’ deep safety, he could force more takeaways in his second year as a full-time starter. Typically, teams are willing to pay big bucks to ball-hawking safeties. In 2026, Martin could earn a massive pay raise.
It’s good that Moe Moton explained why Jayden Daniels wasn’t the winner. He’s already surpassed being a building block. The Commanders hope they can build around Martin for years to come. While Martin has one safety spot locked down, Washington must replace last season’s starter, Jeremy Chinn.
Another strong season from Martin would put him in a position to earn an extension. Over the past year, two of Rivera’s other former draft picks, guard Sam Cosmi and tight end John Bates, both from the 2021 NFL draft, each earned multi-year contract extensions.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Which defensive player is the Commanders most promising building block