What to Know: Versatile Illinois DB Jartavius Martin visits Packers
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have had Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin in for a pre-draft visit, according to Ian Rapoport. This is one of 30 official visits that the Packers can have prior to the NFL Draft.
Martin measured in at 5’11,” weighs 194 pounds, and posted an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.28, among a safety class that as a whole, did not test all that well athletically.
Martin is an experienced player, with over 2,400 snaps in five seasons at Illinois. He spent most of his time lined up in the slot, taking 938 snaps there, but he also has 849 boundary snaps, 243 snaps from the box, and another 292 as a free safety. Martin also played 298 special teams snaps on a variety of phases.
He was a very willing tackler and capable run defender in college–two elements this Packers’ defense needs at the safety position. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he missed only six tackles out of 124 attempts and was PFF’s top-graded defensive back in run defense this past year. In coverage, he gave up only 66 completions on 119 targets at 14.6 yards per catch with four interceptions and 16 pass breakups.
Martin is a versatile prospect, which is an important aspect for Green Bay in the secondary. PFF has him ranked as the 16th-best cornerback and a top-100 player overall, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic has him as the third-best safety. My guess is that with the Packers, given the need, Martin has been evaluated more as a safety prospect.
For more on the technical side of his game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his pre-draft report:
"“Versatile cornerback/safety prospect with the size and physical talent to play nickel back or align as a deep safety. A buttery smooth hip swivel allows him to glide and transition effectively from his pedal, but he has just average route recognition to stay connected to clever route runners. Martin’s speed and explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine was eye-catching, but he needs to play consistently to that speed on the field. A team will need to decide where to play him, but he has the potential to become an early contributor and a starter further down the road.“"
We know that the Packers need upgrades at the safety position, but with the way that they’ve approached this offseason, addressing it isn’t a must early on in the draft either. At a minimum, with Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt, and others, the Packers do have options–which is a good thing given the lack of depth at the safety position in this draft class.
Not only do the Packers need a safety, but what they specifically need is someone who can play the more traditional deep or box role. They already have several options on the team who can be the nickel cornerback. My guess is that regardless of who the Packers bring in at safety, even if that player has spent most of his college career in the slot, Green Bay will have evaluated that prospect as someone who can line up deep as well because that is where the need lies not only in 2023 but 2024 as well. On the flip side, if the Packers view a safety as a primary slot option, I’m not so sure they will be in play for Green Bay.
Martin is a potential Day 2 pick, who perhaps could compete for some playing time right away, but with the options that the Packers already have on the roster, this could be a developmental year for him as well, if needed.