The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Jartavius Martin 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Safety
School: Illinois
Size: 5-foot-11, 194 pounds
Class: Senior
2022 Stats: 64 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 11 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles
Martin was a part of a very talented Illinois secondary during his college career. He is now a 2023 NFL Draft prospect.
Out of high school, Martin was a three-star prospect out of Florida who signed with Illinois in the class of 2018. He immediately made an impact for the Fighting Illini with 44 total tackles, three interceptions and three passes defended. Illinois went 3-9 that season. In 2019, Martin had 23 total tackles in eight games played. The Fighting Illini had a 6-7 record in 2019. For the 2020 season, Martin totaled 38 tackles in eight games played. The Illini went 2-6 in the COVID-shortened season. In the 2021 season, Martin had 56 total tackles, one interception and six passes defended. Illinois had a 5-7 record that season. In his last collegiate season, Martin registered 64 total tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defended. He led Illinois to an 8-5 record.
Following the Reliaquest Bowl, Martin entered the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Martin is a versatile defensive back with the ability to help a team out in many different ways. He is able to play deep safety, in single high or as a split safety. Martin has some man-to-man coverage potential as well. He could find his home as a safety or as a nickel cornerback at the NFL level.
He has the ability to mirror receivers’ routes with loose hips. Martin can change direction quickly and stay connected to receivers. He also has the speed to match them vertically down the field. His man coverage potential stems from these strengths.
Over the last two seasons of his time at Illinois, Martin showed great ball skills. He has solid ball-tracking skills and attacks the catchpoint well. He came away with four interceptions and 17 passes defended over the past two seasons and that should carry over to the NFL.
Martin can improve his route recognition to have even better coverage. He also can improve his eye-balance between the receiver and quarterback. There are times when he is a step behind because he doesn’t recognize the route the receiver is running or his eye balance is off.
At the NFL level, Martin could struggle to cover tight ends. He isn’t the biggest safety at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds. Teams may line him up over the slot to handle the faster receivers, but tight ends could outmuscle him.
He is a solid run defender, but can show better pursuit. Taking better angles to the football should help him out, as he has good athleticism to track down ball carriers. Improving his pursuit could help him see the field more early in his career.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Third-Round Pick
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