After allowing 262.2 yards per game and 2.3 passing touchdowns per game in 2023, the Washington Commanders secondary was the weakest in the National Football League. In terms of rankings, it was as bad as it got because both numbers stood for dead last.
The team made a couple additions during the summer that should help improve things overall, but safety Quan Martin is a holdover that will be crucial to how everything works out.
Playing across the secondary in 2023, Martin shown moments of promise. He played 191 snaps at nickel, 77 snaps at free safety, 33 snaps out wide, 78 in the box, and 14 off the defensive line (blitzing), according to Pro Football Focus. Many believed he would be the Commanders’ starting nickel in 2024, but with Mike Sainristil selected in the second round, things became less certain.
Since then, the main theory has been that Martin will switch to free safety and take on a more centerfield-like role, which is actually more in line with his natural position. He played cornerback in college, so he has the athleticism, range, and cover abilities required to thrive at the position, and Joe Whitt Jr. would know how to use him.
Martin has reportedly been practicing safety since the beginning of camp. Dan Quinn, the head coach of the Commanders, verified everything on Friday. Sainristil is the nickelback for the defense, and Martin will definitely go to safety.
“Quan has outstanding tackling prowess. Thus, along with ball abilities, safety is at the top of the list, Quinn informed reporters. “Well, those are the traits I observed in him and in the assessment from a year ago. We saw it, therefore the two of them together make for a pleasant but risky mix.”
Once the pads are on, it will be interesting to observe how these guys are actually used. As previously indicated, Martin is a flexible player who can play all over the secondary, but Sainristil is also incredibly adaptable. It’s unlikely that he will align himself on the outside, but you can be sure that he will align himself in several locations within. In other situations, he might even choose to play it safe.
Quinn and Whitt Jr. are looking for multitaskers, and both of these individuals match the bill.
Multi-positional players are something that has changed, at least for me, Quinn stated on Thursday. “Having a wide receiver who can catch passes, a linebacker who can play defensive end, and a safety who can drop down to linebacker is really valuable. Although not everyone is capable of doing so, for those who are, you’ve provided value and there might be a new design or plan to work with.
“So, the multi-positional players, to me, that’s been one of the bigger changes, and my time in Dallas allowed me to explore into that area more, and it’s led me down to, you know, with our own staff… can we find some other roles for people?”
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media before Day 2 of camp https://t.co/tPGopTZSJw
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 25, 2024
The Commanders know how to position Martin and Sainristil for success, and both have the ability to help turn the secondary around. It’s up to us to execute it on the field now.
