Early during offseason workouts, it appeared the San Francisco 49ers had a spicy position battle brewing between third-year linebacker Dee Winters and 2025 third-round rookie Nick Martin.
Martin, after all, was seen as an heir apparent to now-Denver [Broncos](http://predominantlyorange.com/) backer Dre Greelaw, who paired with All-Pro Fred Warner for years and helped create so many golden memories for the Niners over the years.
Except, at least during training camp, it appeared as if [Winters was running away in the competition](https://ninernoise.com/only-training-camp-49ers-defender-already-won-starting-job) to start alongside Warner.
With one preseason game in the books, following Denver's visit to Santa Clara in exhibition Week 1, fans can now understand why Martin was on the losing end.
Nick Martin a little too wild and reckless during 49ers' preseason debut
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There's no doubting the 5-foot-11 and 221-pound first-year pro is playing with plenty of vigor and excitement, especially considering it's his first NFL action, even if it's preseason.
That said (and it'll be interesting to see what the official stats say), Martin was responsible for at least two missed tackles and took a few wrong angles in overpursuit. And those wrong angles on Denver ball carriers showed up as big gains for the Broncos.
Again, Martin is playing his first NFL action, so being a little amped up is understandable. And he'll be coached up in forthcoming weeks on patience and recognition, hopefully cutting down on some of the over-aggression.
In the meantime, it appears as if Winters is the clear-cut No. 2 behind Warner, and one could even argue second-year pro Tatum Bethune should be ahead of the rookie on the depth chart.
Thankfully, one exhibition game is nowhere near enough evidence to panic on San Francisco's Round 3 draft investment.
Although it's fair to wish Martin got off to a better start.
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