Nick Martin
This image epitomizes Nick Martin’s role as a Texan: the least glamorous job in the league, but also one of the most important. Fans tend to remember and glorify the person who throws, catches and runs with the football, but never with the person who snaps it. Every play on offense starts with him; if he gives a bad snap, this could happen.
Martin is the only returning starting offensive lineman. He is the anchor of the offense, and despite being in his third year in the NFL, players will look to him to set the tone.
He has struggled with injuries in his first two years in the league. He missed his entire rookie year, recovering from an ankle surgery. In his second season, he played all but the last two games before suffering another serious ankle injury. Martin is the complete player at his position on the roster and offers the possibility to be a long-term starter with the team.
Martin showed some promise in his second season, and barring any injury, he’ll be a better a player in 2018. The Texans signed several players in free agency to improve the offensive line.
There will be some growing pains early on in the process, but there is hope that the moves made by Texans general manager Brian Gaine will solidify the offensive line.