{"id":283754,"date":"2025-08-13T02:58:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T02:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/283754\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T02:58:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T02:58:20","slug":"nick-martin-has-tremendous-range-cleaning-things-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/283754\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Martin has ‘tremendous range’, cleaning things up"},"content":{"rendered":"

The San Francisco 49ers defense is expected to heavily rely on rookies in 2025. Spending their top five draft picks on defensive players, including DL Mykel Williams, DL Alfred Collins, and LB Nick Martins, was needed.<\/p>\n

Returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh got his first look at some of their young talent in Saturday\u2019s preseason debut.<\/p>\n

Facing off against Denver was somewhat ironic with Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga suiting up on the other side.<\/p>\n

Greenlaw\u2019s free agency departure opened up a hole alongside Warner. Many speculated whether Oklahoma State rookie Nick Martin could win the competition.<\/p>\n

But, most of their first-team repetitions have gone to third-year linebacker Dee Winters.<\/p>\n

Preseason game one against the Broncos showed some of the growing pains that come with rookies.<\/p>\n

Martin missed a couple of tackles during his snaps, which didn\u2019t concern Saleh.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was his first real live action in over a year and a half, so we\u2019re not concerned with some of those missed tackles,\u201d he told reporters in Santa Clara. \u201cI think we\u2019ll get those cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing Martin\u2019s overall progression up to this point, San Francisco\u2019s coordinator believes Martin is \u201cdoing a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"YouTube<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a big-time running hit linebacker, so he just has to learn how to control himself at the tackle point and come together,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting his feet underneath him and just getting his body on the ball carrier until the speed of the game catches up to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saleh pointed out Martin wasn\u2019t the only 49er to have an unideal start to their preseason.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just put it to the side and find a way to get better,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to have another opportunity to do that against Vegas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Possessing range, speed, and a \u201cviolent mindset\u201d is right up San Francisco\u2019s alley, but the Oklahoma State product still has a way to progress before being starter caliber.<\/p>\n

Which is no knock on the 75th overall pick, who has the tools to develop into an important cog of their defense.<\/p>\n

The 49ers could use that sooner rather than later, but every rookie has a different learning curve in the NFL.<\/p>\n

More San Francisco 49ers coverage on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

Robert Saleh has returned to his role as San Francisco\u2019s defensive coordinator, but the roster has been shaken up in the three years he was leading the New York Jets.<\/p>\n

Heading into 2025, he\u2019s expected to have a heavy reliance on rookies. 49ers\u2019 general manager John Lynch spent their first five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft on defense.<\/p>\n

First-round edge rusher Mykel Williams (No. 11) is the obvious highlight, but Saleh highlighted the importance of last week\u2019s preseason debut as a \u201creally good step\u201d for another rookie lineman.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like Alfred [Collins] took a really good step in the game,\u201d Saleh told reporters in Santa Clara on Monday. Defensive tackle Collins was San Francisco\u2019s second-round selection.<\/p>\n

Read More:<\/p>\n

Robert Saleh says 49ers rookie \u201ctook a really good step\u201d in preseason debut<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule<\/p>\n

Preseason<\/p>\n

Saturday, August 16th\u00a0\u2013 @ Las Vegas Raiders \u2013 1:00 PM PT
\nSaturday, August 23rd\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Chargers \u2013 5:30 PM PT<\/p>\n

Regular Season<\/p>\n

Sunday, September 7th\u00a0\u2013 @ Seattle Seahawks \u2013 1:05 PM PT\u00a0\u00a0*Season opener*
\nSunday, September 14th\u00a0\u2013 @ New Orleans Saints \u2013 10:00 AM PT
\nSunday, September 21st\u00a0\u2013 vs. Arizona Cardinals \u2013 1:25 PM PT
\nSunday, September 28th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars \u2013 1:05 PM PT
\nThursday, October 2nd\u00a0\u2013 @ Los Angeles Rams \u2013 5:15 PM PT<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

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