QM #20

Quan Martin

Safety · Illinois

A second-round pick out of Illinois, Quan Martin delivered a signature pick-six in the 2024 playoffs and has settled in as Washington's starting free safety.

Jartavius "Quan" Martin has grown into a full-time starter for the Commanders since being drafted in the second round in 2023, highlighted by a playoff pick-six that provided one of the biggest defensive moments of Washington's 2024 postseason run. Off the field, he is known almost as well for cutting hair as he is for playing safety.

★ Second-round pick (47th overall), 2023 NFL Draft

★ Second-team All-Big Ten at Illinois (2022)

★ Playoff pick-six against the Lions in the 2024 Divisional Round

★ 99 tackles across 17 games in 2025

Path to the league

Martin played five seasons at Illinois, starting at cornerback before moving to safety in 2021. He finished his college career with 225 tackles and 7 interceptions and earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. The Washington Commanders selected him 47th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the second safety off the board that year behind Brian Branch.

Career highlights

Martin started all 16 games at free safety in 2024 under new head coach Dan Quinn, recording 87 tackles, an interception, and three pass deflections. His signature moment came in the Divisional Round of the 2024 playoffs, when he intercepted a Jared Goff pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown, the first of his career.

2025 season recap

Martin remained Washington's starting free safety in 2025, appearing in all 17 games and recording 99 tackles, though he faced criticism for his tackling and was benched during the Christmas game against Dallas after a blown coverage assignment.