hagan714

USC's Marcus Martin meets with Panthers, Saints, Eagles


USC center Marcus Martin, considered one of the top two players at his position in the draft, has met with Carolina, New Orleans and Philadelphia.
The National Football Post reported on Martin's visits. He and Colorado State's Weston Richburg are vying to be the first center selected.

Neither is seen as a first-rounder, though there always is a possibility that one could sneak into the first round.

There have been just nine centers drafted in the first round this century. Wisconsin's Travis Frederick was a surprise first-rounder last season, by Dallas, and played well as a rookie. He was the first center taken in the first round since 2010. There have been 16 second-round centers this century, and Martin and Richburg seem likely to go in that round.

Center wouldn't appear to be a high priority for Carolina, which has Ryan Kalil as its starter, or Philadelphia, which has Jason Kelce, but New Orleans definitely could be in the market for one. The Saints pick 27th in the first round and 26th in the second round (58th overall). Baltimore, New England and San Francisco are other teams that could be looking for a center, and the Ravens are the only one of the three that picks before the Saints in the second round.

Martin (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) left USC after his junior season. He started 33 games in his Trojans career and started at guard in his first two seasons. Still, center is his best position. He missed his final college game, a Las Vegas Bowl win over Fresno State, because of a dislocated kneecap. He appeared fully healthy when running the 40-yard dash twice and doing position-specific drills at USC's pro day March 12.

USC's Marcus Martin meets with Panthers, Saints, Eagles - NFL.com

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

B_Dub_Saint

If he is there in the 3rd I would take him.

Danno

Would be a fantastic 3rd round pick. I could see us using one of our 5ths or our 6th to move up and secure him. He looks like a late 2nd early 3rd rounder.

I don't think he'll be a starter in 2014, but probably will be in 2015.

He plays low with good quickness and power. A pretty good match for Brees.

rezburna

Didn't watch any USC games this past year. Always hated USC. Don't know much about him.

Seer1

He's listed as the number two center in the draft by CBS Sports. Weston Richburg (CSU) is listed as first. He does have some experience at guard too which probably makes him attractive to us as we have a couple of guards who may be playing for someone else next year. I'm kind of torn between him and Richburg as I see the center position as our biggest need -even worth a first round pick.

TwistedTiger

"Lacks desirable grit, toughness and finishing strength to maximize his talent and is stronger than he plays."

Marcus Martin Draft Profile

I don't see drafting him before the 3rd round and that might be too high despite his projected draft position.

Danno

And yet NflDraftScout (CBS) has this on him

naturally thick build conducive to playing in the trenches. Good quickness off the snap, showing the ability to get to the second level as well as seal defenders to create running lanes.

Possesses good core flexibility and natural knee bend to help him anchor against bull rushes. Slides well laterally to mirror pass rushers and keeps his head on a swivel to help teammates.

Plays with some nastiness. Plays to the whistle and isn't opposed to getting an extra shot in as the whistle blows. A good athlete whose flaws are coachable, suggesting that his best football is still ahead of him.

COMPARES TO: Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns -- Mack was among the more polished and talented centers in recent history when he left Cal and was selected by the Browns with the 21st overall pick of the 2009 draft. Martin isn't yet at this stage but his upside is clear, as is his grit and physicality. With dedication to his craft, Martin could emerge as a quality starter in the NFL.

--Rob Rang (2/2/14)

Marcus Martin, C, Southern California, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

hagan714

he is one of those after the season is over draft riser. i am not completely sold on him. my gut says USC media moguls in action here. He is solid OG and one year of OC went ok. now the he has no ceiling and sky is the limit. makes me uneasy. i watched him a bit last year and this and i did not see it.so upside is the key i guess with the kid

Jack Vegas

I more I read about him, I'm inclined to agree. I'm not sure this is a guy who can come right in and take over. Love his size and power and there is some advantage to having a big powerful center when you're trying to make the change to more of a run-oriented offense. But USC players in general seem to have a lazy/entitlement streak. That is the one thing I would really worried about him. Maybe that's not fair to him but it bugs me.

ChrisXVI

If Houston, Jacksonville or Oakland plan on waiting until the 2nd round to draft a QB then I wouldn't mind trying to get them to trade back into the 1st with us to get their QB and we could use that high 2nd rounder to get Richburg. If he were available still... It's all hypothetical of course.