Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
Size:
Height: 5114
Weight: 221
Arm: 31 ¾”
Hand: 9 ¼”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-Big 12 (2023)
“Nick Martin is an electric athlete at the linebacker position who projects as a versatile chess piece in the heart of an NFL defense.”
Strengths:
Explosive athlete
Coverage
Trigger
Potential as a hybrid pass-rusher
Concerns:
Patience
Stack/shed facing linemen head up
Lack of aggressiveness in coverage
Film Analysis:
Nick Martin missed the majority of the 2024 season due to injury (five starts), but when available, showcased many of the traits that should allow Martin to make a rapid impact within an NFL defense. He is an electric athlete at the linebacker position who projects as a versatile chess piece in the heart of an NFL defense. In his first year as a starter, Martin led the Big 12 in tackles, solo tackles, and tackles per game in 2023. His 140 total tackles and 83 solo tackles were both also the most by any Big 12 player since 2018.
Martin is a mainstay within the core of the defense, playing every snap for the Cowboys. He’s an elite-level athlete who has the twitch, agility, and stop/start ability to play sideline-to-sideline against both the run and pass.
Martin remains one of the draft's premier run defenders from the linebacker spot. Can play isolated as the lone LB on the field. Electric trigger downhill with the ability to cover ground in an instant. Body type and skill set emulate that of a secondary defender. Can sniff out run concepts early in the play and has shown the ability to consistently beat running backs to the spot. Arrives at contact with violence, and plays at one speed—with a capital F in fast. He is an absolute nightmare to block for climbing offensive linemen as Martin will shuffle, dip, and maneuver his way around blockers. Consistently one of the best athletes on the field who can play at simply a different speed than those around him.
In coverage, Martin has active feet and will constantly keep his head on a swivel. Showcases extremely reactive quick-twitch muscles that allow him to work from 0-60 in two strides. Chased down Chiefs first-round WR Xavier Worthy in the Big 12 Championship game against Texas in 2023. Has no issue carrying more athletic tight ends in space and he has the comfortability to work in zone as well. Does well to consistently gain his correct depth between the numbers, keeping everything in front.
Martin is a really fun defender to watch when plays break down. He can sit in zone, only to accelerate downhill toward scrambling QBs to limit yards. His blend of speed and physicality provides an enforcer-like presence in the middle of a defense that players will look to avoid in space. Tough to work past in space with evident ball production (2 INT in 2023). Also has experience as a QB spy with the ability to play at varying depths due to his closing speed.
Martin’s projection heightens as a potential wide-9 pass rusher. He has the bend and athleticism to work through offensive linemen despite his lack of size and overall length. Can rapidly jump to the inside after initially attacking the outside shoulder, and will take QBs to the turf if given the opportunity.
Concerns remain about Martin's overall size, but he is by no means ‘small’, nor does he lack the necessary body armor to live at the second level in the NFL. Would like to see more consistency in stacking/shedding blockers. Is quick to out-maneuver opponents, but engaging and shedding consistently will truly make him an unblockable presence in space. Can also be a bull in a china shop at times, exploding through the line only for the play to kick out of the backside. Increased patience will come with more snaps, however. He also looks to bait QBs into throws in open space, often pacing and jogging to his assignment so that he can attack at an angle. It’s a confidence that comes due to his outstanding acceleration and ability to close distance quickly. However, that space can be taken advantage of against higher-level athletes.
Overall, Martin fits the mold of where the linebacker position is moving at the NFL level. He has the instincts and tackling ability to live at LB on run downs, the athleticism to cover RBs and TEs in space, and the electric trigger and movement skills to live on all three downs at varying depths. Considering his skill set/production in minimal snaps (comparatively to other draft-eligible LBs) Martin has a performance ceiling as lofty as any linebacker in the country and is someone who should be prioritized for teams in need of a dynamic athlete in the middle of a defense.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Arkansas (2024), Utah (2024), West Virginia (2023), Oklahoma (2023), UCF (2023)
