Nick Martin

Summary

Nick Martin was selected in Round 3 (#75 Overall) out of Oklahoma State University. A First‑Team All‑Big 12 honoree in 2023, Martin led the conference with 140 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, and multiple forced fumbles and recoveries, showcasing his high activity rate and playmaking ability on defense. He followed that with 47 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2024 despite injury that cut his season short. Over 35 college games, Martin totaled 203 tackles, 23.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries, proving disruptive near the line and in coverage. Off the field, Martin has been praised for his work ethic, coachability, and high character.

Strengths

• Sideline‑to‑Sideline Speed & Pursuit: Martin ran a 4.53‑second 40‑yard dash at the combine, showcasing elite range and the ability to chase plays down from the second level.

• Tackle Production: While he has not yet featured much for the 49ers, Martin led the Big 12 with 140 tackles in 2023, displaying instincts and involvement on virtually every play.

• Coverage Ability: Athleticism allows him to drop into coverage and stay with tight ends and backs effectively in space.

• High Motor & Competitive Style: Plays with urgency and effort and is consistently around the ball and aggressive in pursuit.

Weaknesses

• Size/Physicality: Martin’s 1.50 Measurables score makes him extremely undersized for an every‑down NFL linebacker, potentially limiting his ability to take on blockers and anchor the middle.

• Durability Concerns: Missed significant time due to a knee injury in 2024 and has had other minor offseason injuries, raising questions about long‑term availability.

• Block Engagement: Can be thrown off his path by larger offensive linemen; needs to improve stack‑and‑shed strength at contact.

• Technique & Craft Development: Still refining some fundamental aspects of linebacker play such as block recognition, shedding technique, and fit‑and‑finish consistency.

Outlook

Martin projects as a modern NFL linebacker with hybrid traits — a pace‑on‑the‑ball, space‑oriented defender who thrives in coverage, pursuit, and blitz packages more than in classic gap‑and‑read run fits. His straight‑line speed and range make him particularly effective in zone schemes, pattern‑match defenses, and sub‑package roles where he can execute lateral flow and chase plays from the second level. In the 49ers’ defense, Martin’s versatility can allow him to see snaps as a weak‑side linebacker, sub‑package coverage defender, and blitzer alongside more traditional thumpers such as Fred Warner, giving San Francisco additional chess pieces to deploy on passing downs or against mobile quarterbacks. Looking forward, Martin’s upside remains high if he continues to refine his physical tools into NFL‑level linebacker craft. If he can add functional strength and sustain contact, he has the potential to grow into a three‑down starter who not only creates plays in coverage and pursuit but can also contribute against the run more consistently. At a minimum, he offers special teams value and rotational defensive snaps, with the trajectory to be a key component of a dynamic linebacker corps in wide‑range defenses that value pursuit, versatility, and playmaking impact.