5 FCS draft prospects the Commanders should consider in 2024

Commanders could draft Marshel Martin IV

• Tight End | Sacremento State Hornets

Marshel Martin’s play fell off in his senior year, and that may raise questions about his potential in the NFL. If the Washington Commanders can answer that question satisfactorily, he would be well worth a late-round dart throw.

Up until that senior season, he had steadily progressed over three years to become one of the best pass-catchers - regardless of position - in the FCS. That's no mean feat whatsoever.

His junior season was outstanding, hauling in 10 touchdowns and averaging more than 14 yards per catch from the tight end position. Martin had been almost as good during his sophomore campaign. Truth be told, that senior campaign performance wasn’t terrible. He was injured early on and though he continued to play, his productivity suffered throughout the year.

Martin entered college as a running back and his greatest asset is an ability to create yards after the catch. He is both shifty and powerful with the ball in his hands. He looks like a natural runner in the open field. He has put on some weight during his college career, bulking up to 230 pounds - which is still undersized for an in-line tight end - but the prospect has also shown to be a willing blocker.

His real value to an NFL team will come as a receiver split wide, or as a versatile H-Back, but he can line up on the line of scrimmage on occasion. The bottom line is that Martin has proven to be a playmaker at the FCS level. If his health is no longer a concern, he offers intriguing potential to the Commanders or someone else who takes a chance.