Tennessee Titans tight end David Martin-Robinson has been one of the team's most improved players at this year's training camp period. A sophomore undrafted free agent, Martin-Robinson defied the odds to make the initial 53-man roster last August. With a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, and the preseason opener versus the same opponent on Saturday, he can inch closer to securing his spot on the roster for a second straight season.
Martin-Robinson was touted as an athletic, undersized pass-catching rookie out of Temple last summer. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native has worked hard to transform his body and become a more well-rounded player this offseason. The results of that evolution have been evident at practice.
Martin-Robinson recently spoke exclusively with Titan Sized. The second-year tight end discussed his rookie season, the upcoming preseason, his new-look muscle mass, and more.
“You never know when your moment is going to arrive.”
Martin-Robinson’s rookie season was a bit of a whirlwind. Finding out he made the initial 53-man roster delivered a moment he’ll never forget. Having gone undrafted, it replaced the happiness Martin-Robinson initially hoped to feel on draft weekend.
“I remember that whole day,” Martin-Robinson told Titan Sized about finding out he made the 53-man roster last year. “It was a long day (laughs). Cally [Brian Callahan] and Ran [Carthon], we had a talk. They dropped the bomb on me that I made the team. Being a UDFA, finding that out was like my NFL Draft moment.”
The jubilation of making the initial 53-man roster quickly wore off. With the Titans keeping an overstuffed five tight ends, Martin-Robinson often found himself inactive on game-day throughout the early portion of the 2024 campaign.
“I learned how to be a pro,” Martin-Robinson said. “I had to prepare like I was a starter. You never know when your moment is going to arrive. I had to learn how to manage that.”
And learn is what Martin-Robinson did.
Titans TE David Martin-Robinson became an intentional, high-effort player
“I learned how to stay present in the moment," Martin-Robinson said. "Instead of thinking about when I’d finally get my chance, I focused on the daily tasks. I chose not to stress about it. All that matters is being present at this moment. I learned to control what I could control. This might sound crazy, but I was more stressed when I was inactive and preparing to play. A calmness came over me when I got my opportunity.”
Martin-Robinson made his official NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. He appeared in every single contest through the Week 18 finale. With opportunities few and far between on offense, Martin-Robinson focused his attention on special teams, where he made a notable difference on a struggling unit.
“I became very intentional about my preparation on special teams,” Martin-Robinson said. “I took those coaching techniques and applied them. Special teams are all about technique and effort. I left everything I had out there. I wanted the staff to see that I’m a high-effort player.”
It’s that improvement on special teams that partially has Martin-Robinson well positioned to make the 53-man roster again.
“I’ve enjoyed working with new special teams coordinator John “Bones” Fassel. He’s brought positive energy to our special teams unit. I love the way he teaches his philosophies. He’s all about the technique."
Titans TE David-Martin Robinson transformed his body this offseason
Martin-Robinson arrived at training camp this year a transformed man. Offseason roster changes meant last year’s primary blocking tight end Nick Vannett was not retained in free agency. Seeing another opportunity to carve out a specialized role for himself behind Chig Okonkwo and rookie Gunnar Helm, Martin-Robinson went to work.
“I’ve stayed within 248 to 252 pounds, because that’s what the staff deemed is my best playing weight,” Martin-Robinson said. “Body composition wise though, I’m down like 2% in body fat. I added like nine pounds of lean body mass. The weight is similar, but I’m in better shape from a composition perspective.”
Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz recently praised Martin-Robinson for the physicality he’s displayed at training camp since the pads came on. Nobody was necessarily saying that last year about an undersized pass catcher who earned 46 offensive snaps as a rookie. Martin-Robinson arrived at his sophomore camp looking like a player who took that personally.
“I needed to build that confidence that I could be an in-line blocker,” Martin-Robinson noted. “I had to hold myself accountable. I’ve always felt like I had the ability to block, but I had some injury issues at Temple that prevented me from really honing in on that. I learned from vets like Nick Vannett last year. I paid attention to the concepts. I know how to put myself in favorable positions as a blocker now.”
Head coach Brian Callahan and position coach Luke Stocker, who previously played for the Titans as a blocking specialist at the position, have noticed the improvement.
"They’ve seen the difference,” Martin-Robinson said. “Coach Stocker was our assistant position coach last year. He’s seen my development as a blocker through and through. He’s been instilling that confidence in me. He believes I can do everything a tight end is supposed to do.”
Titans TE David Martin-Robinson to impress during the preseason, joint practices
Martin-Robinson is excited to display his improvements in the critical weeks ahead. With the Titans’ preseason opener against the Buccaneers on Saturday swiftly approaching, Martin-Robinson fully comprehends how important the exhibition showcase can be. He led the Titans in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (113) during the preseason last August. It undeniably played a role in him making the 53-man roster as a UDFA.
“It definitely played a role in me making the team,” Martin-Robinson said about last year's preseason production. “But it was the day-to-day consistency, what I was doing at training camp, that finalized it. For undrafted free agents in my position, you have to make sure you stand out during the preseason. It’s like a huge job interview. The 31 other teams are looking at that tape. I was aware of that, but ultimately glad I was able to stick in Nashville.”
Martin-Robinson has an excellent opportunity to stick in Nashville for a second consecutive season.