Jonathan

Martin

Per Pauline, Martin is being graded anywhere from round one to the draft’s second day. Pauline hears the Lions could be a suitor for Martin toward the end of the first round because they lack long-term stability at left tackle and have made no attempt to re-sign contract-year RT Gosder Cherilus. Martin could start on the right side as a rookie and eventually replace Jeff Backus.

He’s the third Cardinal off the board. “All over boards” in the build up to draft week, Martin was considered a future left tackle in some quarters, but will slide in at right tackle across from All-Pro LT Jake Long in Miami. Martin exhibited disappointing athleticism at the Combine, but has huge 34-inch arms and 9 7/8-inch hands to go along with his impressive 6-foot-5, 312 pound frame. He fills a big need for a team that allowed the third most sacks in the league (52) last season, and should be a Week 1 starter over Lydon Murtha.

Berardino believes Long — who is entering a contract year — is “about to get caught in the vortex of this sweeping Dolphins overhaul.” Miami drafted Stanford OT Jonathan Martin in the second round, and GM Jeff Ireland says the team is adopting a different philosophy along its line. “We’re not going to be as much a power scheme as we’ve been in the past.” However, Ireland insisted Long can “transfer to any scheme.” Berardino’s dot connecting is not illogical, but we’re skeptical an embattled organization like Miami will be willing to let a former No. 1 overall pick and four-time Pro Bowler get away.

“I don’t think he has left tackle feet or right tackle power,” Nawrocki said of Martin. “I look at him as a fourth-round-type project, but he’s getting looks in the second round and possibly late in the first. He will be considerably overdrafted.” SI’s Tony Pauline has reported that NFL opinions on Martin range “all over draft boards.” He projects as a top 20-40 pick.

Martin caught an illness in recent days, and “doesn’t feel comfortable performing the drills with his draft stock on the line until he’s back to 100 percent.” Martin is a projected top-15 overall pick. He measured 6-foot-5, 312 at Thursday’s weigh-in and could play either left or right tackle in the NFL.

He has impressive 34-inch arms and big, 9 7/8-inch hands. Martin only performed on-field position drills at the Combine and is waiting for Stanford’s March 22 Pro Day to do jumps and run the forty. With ideal length and size, he is the complete package in terms of possessing NFL left tackle potential.

Martin, who goes 6-foot-5 1/8 and 312 pounds, ran forty times of 5.33 with the wind and 5.43 into the wind. His broad jump was only 8-foot-8, and Martin’s vertical was 30 inches. Martin also exhibited poor strength on the bench press with 20 reps of 225. Martin still projects as a first-round pick, but in a solid tackle class he may be headed for the 20s instead of the teens.

A second-team All-American (behind first-teamers Barrett Jones of Alabama and USC’s Matt Kalil) as a junior, Martin protected Andrew Luck’s blind side during the 2009, 2010, and 2011 college seasons. Though some draftniks have questioned Martin’s physicality, he is considered a shoo-in top-20 overall pick based on his elite athleticism and pedigree. Martin finished his Stanford career with 37 starts, playing in a run-first, pro-style offense.

No one ever gave Martin a run at right tackle, and Dolphins reporter Armando Salguero even believes the second-round pick would replace Jake Long if the left tackle were injured. Martin is a good fit for Miami’s new zone-running game because he is athletic. He should be a big upgrade on Marc Colombo.

Andrew Luck’s blindside protector at Stanford, Martin will be moved to right tackle in Miami. The Dolphins are moving away from a power scheme, which should suit Martin’s strengths. Lydon Murtha is lining up as the starter in OTAs because Martin has yet to finish school.