Rookie linebacker Nick Martin had a challenging NFL preseason debut for the San Francisco 49ers this past weekend. He received a 31.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, among the lowest in the game, missing two tackles in the matchup.
Despite the rough start, the 49ers remain confident in Martin's development. The first-year linebacker has impressed veteran teammates like All-Pro Fred Warner with his eagerness to learn and improve.
"Nick has been a sponge, really, ever since he's gotten here, and he has such a want to continue to get better," Warner said Thursday, after the 49ers' joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders. "Usually, I tell a guy like, focus on three things that you want to work on every single day. For a rookie, I tell him, 'Hey, you focus on one thing.' If that's block protection, if that's track-tackling, if it's your coverage drops or something, you focus on one thing, and that's it.
"And then, by the end of practice, every single time you're in practice, the coaching staff, everybody should know, 'Man, he was working on this one thing,' without even telling anybody.
"So that's my advice to him right now, and he's just continuing to grow every single day, and get better every single day."
Warner also praised the energy that young players like Martin bring to the 49ers' roster. He highlighted the rookie linebacker's tenacity and fearless play in practice, adding, "Yeah, I think he's only going to continue to get better."
Warner impressed with Marques Sigle
One 49ers rookie who stood out during the preseason game against the Denver Broncos was safety Marques Sigle, who played 33 snaps in the contest and was the game's second-highest graded tackler (83.7).
"I love what I've seen," Warner shared. "I think that preseason game was huge for him. I think before then, obviously, with limited opportunities, guys probably hadn't heard much about him. And then, he was able to go out there and really put his hat on people, and show guys, like, 'Man, I want to play the Forty-Niner way'—running and hitting."
Sigle has also gained some valuable experience practicing with the first-team defense. Warner believes those reps will be crucial for the rookie safety's development.
"I love what I've been seeing from a communication standpoint, knowing where he's supposed to be," Warner added.