Commanders’ most hyped player is fading when the lights get bright

He should be a do-all playmaker able to wreck offenses from multiple positions and disguise the look of his defense, the way the best hybrid safeties in the NFL do every week. Unfortunately, Quan Martin isn't coming close to living up to the hype for the Washington Commanders, and his struggles are proving costly in more than one key area.

Martin's a former second-round pick who can play deep safety, in the slot, or even line up on the boundary as a cornerback. Add in some potential to be a force in the box, and the defensive back ought to be the unicorn-type the Commanders need to disguise coverage and pressure.

That upside likely influenced the decision to let similarly versatile veteran Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency. Doing so now looks like a misguided call because Martin is buckling under the weight of extra responsibilities, starting with his tackling.

Quan Martin's breakout isn't happening as the Commanders woiuld like

Put another way, Martin isn't tackling cleanly. Like when he failed to wrap up D'Andre Swift, allowing the Chicago Bears' running back to break away for a 55-yard touchdown during the dismal 25-24 defeat on Monday Night Football in Week 6.

Martin was still haunted by his hesitation, lack of physicality, and poor technique when he spoke to reporters, including JP Finlay of NBC Sports. The jaded defensive back admitted, "It's tough just to have a play like that happen. That's a play I've made 100 times in my career. I take pride in my tackling."

Pride is missing from Martin's efforts to step up and make plays this season. It's a sad reality personified by four missed tackles. The number is part of a worrying trend, which is why the Illinois product has already allowed 136 yards after the catch. That gaudy figure is only 22 yards shy of his tally for all of last season.

Safeties are supposed to be enforcers, but the Commanders can't even count on Martin as a sure tackler. It wouldn't be such a problem if head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. could at least rely on him in coverage.

Sadly, he is allowing 22.3 yards per reception and letting quarterbacks post a 128.2 passer rating when throwing his way, according to Pro Football Focus. It's become too easy for receivers to beat Martin in man coverage, as well as for smart signal-callers to exploit him for cheap yards in zone.

Those problems are undermining Martin's best use case in Washington's defense. Quinn and Whitt should be able to utilize him as something of a matchup equalizer. A player who can match up with move-style tight ends and dynamic running backs, off-line and out wide, while also being able to clamp onto wide receivers in the slot.

It's an ambitious remit, but Martin was supposed to be a rising star. One whose experience at different positions would expand the playbook for Whitt. That's not happening.

Solving the problem doesn't totally depend on Martin getting back to his best. Not when the picture has changed so much at safety thanks to injuries and emergency new arrivals, but it would help a lot if he started living up to the hype.