Sam Martin Madden Career 2014-2026 - Peak 91 OVR

Sam Martin came out of Appalachian State as an Associated Press All-American and a fifth-round pick of the Lions in 2013, and he gave Detroit a punter who could do more than punt. He handled kickoffs, held for field goals, and made the PFWA All-Rookie team that first year. Twice he was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, in 2015 and again in 2025.

His leg carried him a long way. After seven seasons in Detroit through 2019, he punted for the Broncos in 2020 and 2021, the Bills from 2022 to 2024, and signed with Carolina for 2025. Directional control and hang time kept him employed into a second decade, well past the age most specialists last.

Madden rewarded him fast and then leveled him off. He was a 63 as a rookie in the 2013 edition, spiked to a career-high 91 by the 2015 game after a monster season flipping field position, then settled into the mid-to-upper 70s for the rest of his career, a 75 as recently as the 2025 edition.