Marcus

Martin

Martin injured his toe in the preseason opener and needs surgery. With Martin being sent to I.R. ahead of Week 1, he is not eligible to be designated for return. Martin was competing to be active on game days as interior depth.

Listed on USC’s website at 6-foot-3, 310, Martin is a plus-sized center with size to block bigger nose tackles. He was a three-year starter for the Trojans, declaring for the draft after his junior season. Just one center (Travis Frederick, Dallas) was selected in the first three rounds of the 2013 draft.

He has 34-inch arms, giving Martin the ability to play either guard position in addition to pivot. Martin is considered the favorite to be the first college center selected in May’s draft, and position versatility can only help his stock. Colorado State C Weston Richburg is also currently a hot prospect on the interior.

Martin started for the Niners in 2015 but was benched for Daniel Kilgore last season. Youth is still on his side, but the 23-year-old is running out of chances to prove himself at the next level.

Martin was atrocious in San Francisco, but he is a 23-year-old former second-round pick with a near-minimum salary. He’s worth bringing to Browns OTAs.

As the 49ers attempt to become a more up-tempo offense, new coach Jim Tomsula has dictated better fitness from his offensive linemen. “Oh, man, it’s a whole different mentality, a whole different level of fitness,” Martin said. “Coming in coach Tomsula said he was going to be the only fat guy in the room. And that hit home. You had to get in shape and get right.” Martin struggled in eight starts at center his rookie year, but he is expected to win a starting job somewhere on the interior of the 49ers’ suddenly suspect offensive line.

Martin is also taking reps at guard in OTAs. Standing in at 6'3/320, Martin was popularly considered this year’s top center, but could excel at either guard spot with 34-inch arms. Still only 20, Martin is a wide-bodied, multi-position interior prospect with true mauler upside once he fully grows into his frame.

Martin played his freshman and sophomore years at left guard for USC before taking over at center in 2013. The 49ers view him as capable of playing multiple positions on the interior line. Martin should compete with Daniel Kilgore for the starting center job, while providing depth at both guard spots.

After losing Brian de la Puente to the Bears in free agency, the Saints have a gaping hole in the middle of their line that currently has Tim Lelito penciled in at center. Martin is viewed as the top center in the draft and can also play guard. Our own Evan Silva has Martin going to the Saints in his day two mock draft.

Martin was the last player left in the green room, so the 49ers stopped his mini slide. Martin (6-foot-3 3/8, 320) made 33 starts for the Trojans, spending his freshman and sophomore years at left guard before manning center in 2013. He was this year’s consensus top-rated center, but could excel at either guard spot with 34-inch arms. Only 20 years old, Martin is a wide-bodied, multi-position interior prospect with true mauler upside once he fully grows into his frame. He’ll compete with Daniel Kilgore for center duties this summer.