A former second-round pick is suddenly staring at a tough camp battle in Ashburn.
On Monday afternoon, Mitch Tischler of Monumental Sports Network joined “BMitch & Finlay” on 106.7 The Fan and pointed to safety Quan Martin as a Commanders defender who has been struggling early in training camp. Martin, the 47th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was selected during Ron Rivera’s final year running both coaching and personnel decisions.
Tischler said Martin’s work has stood out for the wrong reasons. “Jeremy Reaves has been on the field much more than Quan,” he expressed Tischler.
“We saw Quan's role change last year as the season went on and maybe didn't necessarily fit his play style as much. I feel like we are seeing a little bit of tentativeness from Quan, early on in camp here.”
That concern comes as Washington adjusts to a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones. The Commanders are working through a new scheme, philosophy and language, and that transition is affecting the entire defense, not just Martin. Still, Tischler said he had expected Martin to seize the opportunity at safety.
“Part of that is learning what Daronte Jones wants that safety position to do. I think Quan's a guy that I was hoping early in camp would solidify that fourth safety spot and not have to have the conversation, if Percy Butler is going to stick around or Robert McDaniel, one of those guys.”
Reaves has been one of the names drawing positive attention. Tischler gave him direct praise, saying, “A hat tip to Jeremy Reaves in how well he has played in camp here.” Reaves, who has been in the NFL since 2018, has built his reputation mostly on special teams, but he has also been noted for looking ready to contribute more heavily on defense.
Martin’s situation is especially notable because he has already seen his role shrink. He was not playing well, not tackling well in 2025, and his snaps dropped late in the season. For a player taken 47th overall and now not locked in as a starter in his fourth season, the optics are rough.
It also raises an uncomfortable question: could Martin be on the outside looking in altogether? As things stand, he is the only one of Washington’s seven 2023 draft picks still with the team.
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