NFL Draft
4/9/25
5 min read
Chandler Martin 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Memphis Tigers LB
Height: 5114 (verified)
Weight: 233lbs (verified)
Year: Redshirt Junior
Pro Comparison: Ivan Pace Jr.
Scouting Overview
Memphis Tigers linebacker Chandler Martin is a fast, fluid, and productive linebacker who is once again overlooked as he prepares to make the NFL transition. Martin has played two seasons with Memphis and was twice named First Team All-AAC for his production as a fast-to-flow and downhill-fit defender.
He’s got a fast processor and plays fearless in the box—like a much larger linebacker would despite his lack of stature and reach. Martin has modest appeal as a coverage player but had a breakthrough as a pressure player in 2024, offering him some modest potential passing down value to complement his assertive run-defending demeanor.
2025 NFL Combine Results
DNP
Positives
- Hairpin trigger to attack gaps and fit the run offers good vision and instinct to sort blocks and challenge the ball
- Is a sufficient pursuit player from off the ball and should challenge runs outside the numbers
- Tone-setting attitude and pads that can help galvanize a unit
Negatives
- Missing upside as a man-coverage option on backs out of the backfield
- Limited wingspan contributes to higher than average missed tackle rate
- Ability to play off blocks with hands is more limited than gap-shooting
Background
Martin is from Stonecrest, GA, and played high school football at Arabia Mountain HS. There, he was rated as a 2-star recruit and committed to playing his college ball at East Tennessee State. Martin would go on to play three years at the program — posting 10 starts in 18 games.
Martin played just 10 snaps in 2020 and 2021 combined before breaking out as a productive starter in 2022. After that successful season, Martin entered into the transfer portal in 2023. He would go on to land with Memphis and quickly became a productive cornerstone.
Martin was twice named First Team All-AAC in two seasons despite playing nearly 1,600 defensive snaps. Despite his productive play, he was not invited to the 2025 NFL Combine.
Tale Of The Tape
Martin is an urgent, fearless defender in the middle of the defense. He’s at his best off the ball, and processing run keys, where he can quickly trigger and fit into a developing gap to stuff runs at or near the line of scrimmage. Thanks to his low-built frame, he’s often bringing pop and leverage into his tackle attempts — a needed boost given that he does not offer a major wingspan to wrap up and finish.
He was allowed to play fast and furious football for Memphis, spotlighting his play urgency and non-stop motor. But he does have warts that get tested on plays that push to the boundary or when he has to offer a larger radius of influence in space. Miller’s lack of wingspan is one element that restricts his success in all phases. Another is his short-area agility.
He’s built low to the ground and can slip blocks and punches with low pads and good angles, but he’s not particularly dynamic or twitchy in short spaces.
When Martin needs to unlock his hips and gather depth in pass coverage, he does not offer the same appeal as when he’s triggering downhill in linear situations. This will test his ability to play man-to-man on targets out of the backfield or potentially limit his reactive ability in zone to attack throwing windows and widen to flash in front of the quarterback.
Martin is a plus blitzer, however. He’ll offer some appeal on early downs as a pressure option. He could be an add-on rusher for teams that runs simulated pressures and want to manipulate opposing quarterbacks and protection schemes with their numbers to either side.
This isn’t a player who should be leaned upon too quickly to be an every-down player, but I do see the appeal and potential of becoming one in the right system. He’s been pretty light on special teams responsibilities, offering nearly half of his 209 career reps on field goal block units.
This may be an area where he needs to find an added edge to boost his profile early on in his pro career as he assimilates to the NFL game.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Martin projects as a developmental linebacker at the NFL level. He’d be best served as a depth player and special teams talent early on who could warrant early down opportunities before ceding reps to more versatile coverage linebackers early.
He’ll be aided by a stout gap control scheme that occupies blockers and lets him flow freely to shoot gaps and plug the run.
Grade: 72.00/100.00, Fourth Round Value
Big Board Rank: 149
Position Rank: LB10
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