Jartavius Martin Complete NFL Draft Profile (Illinois DB's Versatility Is Hard to Ignore)

Illinois defensive back Jartavius "Quan" Martin is eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft following his standout college career. A second-team All-Big Ten defender as a senior in 2022, Martin projects as either a safety or cornerback at the pro level.

Here's everything you need to know about Jartavius Martin heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jartavius Martin Draft Stock & Mock Draft Projections

Mock draft sources accurate as of 4/19: Walter Football, Sporting News, CBS Sports, Pro Football Network, Mel Kiper, ESPN.

Projected Draft Round: Round 2 (4), Round 3 (1), Round 6 (1)
Projected Team: Jaguars (2), Patriots (1), Chiefs (1), Eagles (1), Buccaneers (1)

Jartavius Martin Scouting Report

Jartavius Martin is an intriguing NFL prospect who offers versatility and athleticism at the cornerback and safety positions. With his NFL-ready size and length, Martin has the physical tools to excel at both positions. He can line up in the slot as a nickelback, or align as a deep safety to cover the back end of the defense.

One of Martin's strongest assets is his buttery-smooth hip swivel, which allows him to change direction effortlessly and stay in phase with receivers. This flexibility, combined with his nimble footwork, enables him to be an effective coverage defender both in man-to-man situations and in zone coverage. Additionally, Martin's quick burst of speed and soft hands make him a ball hawk in the secondary, and he shows excellent range when playing over the top as a safety.

In run support, Martin is a physical defender who isn't afraid to attack the ball carrier or engage blockers. His length and strength allow him to punch and separate from blockers, and his leverage helps him take the correct angles to make tackles. Martin's versatility is further highlighted by his ability to cover kickoffs and punts, as well as his effectiveness as a gunner on special teams.

However, Martin is not without his weaknesses. While he has the physical tools to play tight man coverage, he can sometimes get knocked off-balance when engaged by receivers. Additionally, his route recognition skills are average, and he can struggle to stay connected to receivers who run more complex routes. Furthermore, Martin's chase speed can be inconsistent when he's beaten deep, and he occasionally takes shallow undercut angles on throws, leaving himself vulnerable to double moves.

Jartavius Martin NFL Draft Prediction

Positional versatility and the ability to contribute on special teams make Martin the kind of asset that is a plus fit on just about any NFL roster. Yes, his coverage skills are raw (and more complex NFL route concepts will expose that if he doesn't shore up those skills), but that's something a lot of coaches are going to believe they can fix.

Likely to go in the late second round, it's going to be a lot of contending teams that have their sights set on Martin, and there's one fit in particular that I like. The Philadelphia Eagles' secondary has improved recently, but it's still nothing special. They will also see both of their starting safeties and their starting slot corner's contracts expire over the next two offseasons.

Martin's ability to immediately contribute in some capacity lets him find a home on a contending team in the near term, and his rare upside for a second-round pick makes him the perfect successor as a long-term solution in the secondary.

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles (Round 2, 62 overall)

Jartavius Martin NFL Combine Results

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Jartavius Martin Illinois Stats

Jartavius Martin Illinois Highlights