How Did New Redskins Guard Wes Martin Slip Through the Cracks?

I’ll confess, my first thought when I heard Wes Martin’s name called for the Redskins in the 4th round of the 2019 draft, was: Who? My second thought was, “Google Wes Martin.” After about a day of searching, I’ve come up with the profile below.

Wes Martin, G
School: Indiana | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 311 lbs
Actual Draft Status: 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Shawn Lauvao?

College Statistics

N/A

Player Overview

A first-team all-state player for Milton-Union High School in West Milton, Ohio, Wes Martin was red-shirted in his freshman year at Indiana. Martin started 6 game his freshman season (and played in 13). That season, Indiana finished first in the BIG 10 in total offense, passing offense, and scoring offense. The offensive line only allowed 13 sacks (7th lowest in the nation). During his sophomore year, Martin started all 13 game at left guard. Devine Redding became the first Indiana RB to post back to back 1,000 seasons in 25 years. In his junior season, he started all 12 games at left guard and recorded the most pass blocking snaps (569) in the country without allowing a sack (among 298 college guards, Quenton Nelson was the only other to perform similarly). He received honorable mention All BIG 10 honors for his performance. In 2018, he started all 12 games at left guard, allowing only two sacks in 935 snaps, again receiving honorable mention All BIG 10 honors. He was a four-time Academic All BIG 10 honoree and graduated in December 2018.

Strengths

• Very strong. His reps (38) would have been the second highest at the combine.
• Can make sudden block adjustments.
• Slides his feet well.
• Well schooled and strong technique.
• Great work ethic.

Weaknesses

• Lacks great bend.
• Operates best in a phone booth.
• Can be susceptible to a strong bull rush.

Let’s see his work

How He Will Fit On The Redskins

The guardsmen were given two offerings this draft: Martin in the 4th round and Alabama G/C Ross Pierschbacher in the 5th. Of the two, though Pierschbacher played for a higher profile program, Martin is my odds on favorite to potentially swipe the starting left guard job from Ereck Flowers before the regular season begins. He’s strong as an ox, and with some coaching up by Bill Callahan, could end up being a book end with Brandon, and helping to anchor our interior offensive line for years to come.

In addition to an intriguing option at guard, Martin appears to be a really good guy. Apparently, he started a dog rescue, Brave Breed Rescue, with his family. Hopefully, this fall he’ll be helping out pups in the DMV.