Commanders breakout star finally gets the respect fans demanded

Ron Rivera didn't get much right on the draft front during his four years as head coach and primary personnel decision-maker. However, his decision to spend his second-round pick in 2023 on defensive back Quan Martin represents a rare success story.

Martin remains under the radar compared to most productive safeties around the league. However, that didn't prevent one NFL analyst from giving the former Illinois standout some deserved recognition.

More than a few eyebrows were raised when the Commanders took Martin at No. 47 overall in the 2023 draft. That had nothing to do with his athletic attributes; it was more to do with the fact that Washington selected another defensive back, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., at No. 16 overall.

Forbes is no longer around after a disastrous stint in Washington. In contrast, Martin is thriving.

Commanders will demand more from Quan Martin after Jeremy Chinn's departure

Gennaro Filice from NFL.com named Martin as Washington's most underappreciated player entering the 2025 campaign. The analyst also commended his ability to perform well, and through the pain barrier, as encouraging signs that indicate there could be more to come entering Year 3 of his professional career.

[Quan] Martin took over as a full-time starter in Washington last season, acquitting himself quite well at free safety. He stuffed the stat sheet with 87 tackles, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, one interception … and two separated shoulders? Yup, apparently, he played most of the year with janky joints in each arm before undergoing offseason surgery. I appreciate your preposterous pain tolerance, Quan.Gennaro Filice

The Commanders will demand more from Martin next season. General manager Adam Peters opted to let Jeremy Chinn walk for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency after just one season with the club. Will Harris was signed to fill the void, but this looks like a downgrade from the outside looking in.

Couple this with concerns around Washington's safety depth, and Martin's production will be integral to any success that comes the Commanders' way. And if everything goes well for the player, Peters could reward him with a new deal ahead of time next offseason.

That won't be in Martin's immediate train of thought. His focus centers on building momentum, increasing his influence on and off the field, and cementing his long-term importance to the Commanders' cause.

If Martin achieves these goals, he won't be underappreciated nationally for much longer.

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