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The Ravens have been incredibly active especially over the past week in the Free Agent market.  The team was able to lock up Eugene Monroe to patrol the left side but will still need a replacement for Michael Oher, the former First-Rounder who signed with Tennessee last week. Might the Ravens look to the draft to find that replacement?

Let’s take a look.  (You can discuss Martin on the BSL Board here.)

Zack Martin

Offensive Tackle

Notre Dame

Height: 6’4″  Weight: 308 lbs.  40 Time: DNP

Strengths:

-All-Around solid game; very few holes

-Excellent footwork and balance

-Intelligent; Strong communication skills

Weaknesses:

-Not ideal NFL Tackle size; perhaps better suited at Guard

-Small hands and arm length; May have difficulty holding edge with elite rushers

-Did not participate in 40-yd dash due to minor injury

After sifting through the reports one word stands out when describing Martin – Solid. In terms of physical presence he is well built, has displayed a strong knowledge of blocking technique and conducts himself as a professional off the field as well. It would seem that the only thing really holding teams back from choosing him in the Top Ten would be his size. At six foot four he isn’t ideally suited as a starting pro tackle while his hands and arm length also suggest he could struggle as a pass protector.

Otherwise he’s passed every other test thrown his way, be it on the field or at the Combine. He finished up an excellent career for the Irish in 2013 showing an ability to handle the blitz and to open holes in the ground game. He also had scouts raving about his Senior Bowl performance where he combined quickness, burst, and technique to halt anyone in front of him regardless of position. 

Scouts may debate where he will have the most success in the his pro career but they all agree that whomever selects Martin is getting a player that should be expected to contribute right away up front. If Baltimore were to pick the Notre Dame product they could decide to let him operate at Guard while moving Kelechi Osemele back to Right Tackle or vice versa. Either way it could fill a position of need for the Ravens.

 

Matt Jergensen
Matt Jergensen

Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.

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