The Jets hold picks No. 33 and No. 44 in the second round, with the draft slated to take place in Pittsburgh, Martin’s hometown where he played college ball at the University of Pittsburgh.
Martin’s Jets connection runs deep. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he joined the Jets as a restricted free agent in 1998 after beginning his career with the Patriots, and he became one of the franchise’s most celebrated players, earning induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Across 11 NFL seasons, Martin totaled 14,101 rushing yards and 100 total touchdowns, earned three All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowls, and he remains one of the most accomplished running backs in Jets history. He also captured the NFL rushing title in 2004 at age 31, becoming the oldest player to achieve the feat.
Retirement came in 2007, but Martin’s legacy continues to loom over the Jets’ running game. Last season, Breece Hall ended the franchise’s long 1,000-yard drought with 1,065 rushing yards, and the Jets placed a one-year, $14.29 million franchise tag on Hall this offseason, signaling high expectations for 2026.
Across the league, 17 players reached 1,000 rushing yards in 2023, underscoring the recruiting pressure on a running back in today’s NFL. With Hall in the spotlight and the Jets’ second-round selections in play, the organization is looking to sustain a strong rushing attack while honoring its history.
