Is Martin really the best guard?

[JoeyBoy718]

I just want to get people's opinions on this subject. We all know that Martin is the highest-rated guard in the draft (about a mid-1st rounder) but I think it's more so because of his versatility than his ability. Don't get me wrong. I think he's a good guard, but if he didn't have the ability to play tackle, he would probably be a 2nd rounder. And I don't think he's a sure thing to be a legitimate tackle in this league.

This is just my opinion, but if other guys were off the board at #16 and we were thinking about drafting Martin, I'd much rather trade back into the bottom of the 1st round and get a guy like Sua'Filo.

So, for those who know a little bit about Martin, what are your opinions of him? Is he by far the best guard prospect in the draft? Is he only valued so high because of his versatility to play guard/tackle? Is he by far the best tackle prospect in the draft after the big 3 (Robinson, Matthews, Lewam)?

If he's not way above any other guard and/or way above any tackle outside of the big 3, then I don't think he's worth such a high pick. What does everyone else think?

 

[DuDa]

I wouldn't say he is the best pure guard, for the Cowboys that would be Filo. However, Martin is a superb technician with outstanding position flex. That is his real value.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I wouldn't say he is the best pure guard, for the Cowboys that would be Filo. However, Martin is a superb technician with outstanding position flex. That is his real value.

But does that make him worth the #16 pick when you can get a pure guard (Filo) or a better equipped tackle (Moses/Richardson) later in the 1st round?

 

[tm1119]

Martin might have the lowest floor of any player in this draft.....with that said he still isn't very big, strong or fast. He's a technician who you can depend on to do his job, but he's not going to be blowing guys off of the ball or dominating the line of scrimmage. I just don't see the value of him at 16 honestly. I see plenty of guards who represent a much better value.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

This is actually a really awesome question. Kind of the jack of all trades, master of none thing. I see where you're coming from...Martin can only play one position at a time. It wouldn't be good if at all times he's plays like a 2nd rounder (whether that be at OG or RT).

I can't say that I've watched Sua-Filo, so I can't compare. But I've watched Martin. My take is that he's a very, very good OG prospect. I admit that I'd have no interest at 16 if it weren't for his RT ability though. In reality he's probably a low 1st round OG (but lets remember how hard it is for OG's to climb higher than that) who has a mid-1st round grade because of the flex. As purely a OG, he's probably Sua-Filo's equal from what I can gather.

 

[unionjack8]

He starts day 1 over either of our guards then moves to RT when Free leaves and plays ten years at a very good level, albeit probably not all pro oevel. Dependable, durable, position flex, well worth 16 imo

 

[Fredd]

People don't talk about his intangibles much, but this guy was a 2-time captain for ND, he set a record at UND for games played...he is a guy that was a leader of that team and at times, entirely drove the bus when they needed it....I am very intrigued by him, and I would be very happy to see him wearing the star on sundays

 

[jnday]

Martin might have the lowest floor of any player in this draft.....with that said he still isn't very big, strong or fast. He's a technician who you can depend on to do his job, but he's not going to be blowing guys off of the ball or dominating the line of scrimmage. I just don't see the value of him at 16 honestly. I see plenty of guards who represent a much better value.

You nailed it. I would rather have olinemen with size and power. I think there are better options for a guard and better options at tackle. It is great that he can play both, but I would rather see a better overall player at the positions.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

People are really underestimating Martin's athleticism. He put up like 30 reps and had killer shuttle and 3-cone times. I have no idea where fans got this idea that he's an "unathletic technician," but it's wrong. He's a technician who is also a great athlete. Compare his combine numbers to Cooper's last year -- Martin beat Cooper in practically every drill except bench.

 

[DuDa]

People are really underestimating Martin's athleticism. He put up like 30 reps and had killer shuttle and 3-cone times. I have no idea where fans got this idea that he's an "unathletic technician," but it's wrong. He's a technician who is also a great athlete. Compare his combine numbers to Cooper's last year -- Martin beat Cooper in practically every drill except bench.

I wasn't trying to insinuate that at all really. Martin is a very good athlete with solid strength but he didn't play much guard at all. There will be a transition period that comes with moving him to guard. If were looking for a pure guard, I would rather have Filo a little later on. However, if we really need a great flex guy, Martin is your dude.

 

[jnday]

I wasn't trying to insinuate that at all really. Martin is a very good athlete with solid strength but he didn't play much guard at all. There will be a transition period that comes with moving him to guard. If were looking for a pure guard, I would rather have Filo a little later on. However, if we really need a great flex guy, Martin is your dude.

I agree with many of the scouting reports on Martin that says he will never be a lineman that will drive defenders off the LOS. I would rather see a power type guard to pair with Fred. He doesn't have the body to pack on 25lbs and he will be a finesse type player. He does have a great punch, but I like guards to be able to push the pile and play with power. Dallas needs to make up their minds and choose the type of line that they want, power or finesse.

 

[TheCount]

Martin might have the lowest floor of any player in this draft.....with that said he still isn't very big, strong or fast. He's a technician who you can depend on to do his job, but he's not going to be blowing guys off of the ball or dominating the line of scrimmage. I just don't see the value of him at 16 honestly. I see plenty of guards who represent a much better value.

That's a bit hyperbolic, don't you think? Maybe you meant highest floor, I'm not even sure.

 

[tm1119]

That's a bit hyperbolic, don't you think? Maybe you meant highest floor, I'm not even sure.

Lol yeah I guess what I said really didn't make sense. What I was trying to say was that he might have the lowest bust potential.

 

[RS12]

Martin is plug and play at 3 positions. OTOH so is Sua Filo who played LT for a season at UCLA who ypu might get round 2

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

DLine is a lot deeper than OLine.

IF you could say he would be like last years #1, and he is projection is even higher than Fredericks', so you go for Romo Friendly if Martin's there. And don't look back.


Cowboys won 3 SBs in the 90s with Jerruh and the best OLine in the NFL. Plus Oline is the one positional tool our GM neglected early in the Draft over the last 18 years and counting outside of DT.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I don't think anyone said Martin's the "best guard" however he has position versatility which is very intriguing...

 

[xwalker]

DLine is a lot deeper than OLine.

IF you could say he would be like last years #1, and he is projection is even higher than Fredericks', so you go for Romo Friendly if Martin's there. And don't look back.


Cowboys won 3 SBs in the 90s with Jerruh and the best OLine in the NFL. Plus Oline is the one positional tool our GM neglected early in the Draft over the last 18 years and counting outside of DT.

No it's not. OLine is deep in this draft but DLine not so much.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

No it's not. OLine is deep in this draft but DLine not so much.

You're right....my bad, too late to correct the post.

Martin is a top 10 or so in most Drafts. 16 overall isn't a stretch.

Been pointing to DT for years.

 

[xwalker]

You're right....my bad, too late to correct the post.

Martin is a top 10 or so in most Drafts. 16 overall isn't a stretch.

Been pointing to DT for years.

It's unfortunate timing. There are OLinemen projected as 5th rounders that I would be surprised to see start as rookies. On DL, I have a hard time finding players that are overly impressive after the 1st round. There are several that can probably contribute in a rotation, but I don't really see rookie starters.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

It's unfortunate timing. There are OLinemen projected as 5th rounders that I would be surprised to see start as rookies. On DL, I have a hard time finding players that are overly impressive after the 1st round. There are several that can probably contribute in a rotation, but I don't really see rookie starters.

Liking the depth at DT in the later rounds.