The Houston Texans are seeing good things from linebacker Jacob Martin before the start of the season.
Following the Houston Texans scrimmage on Wednesday where head coach/general manager Bill O’Brien not only wished the Houston Rockets luck in their Game NBA Playoff game (they won), he also said the standout of the scrimmage was linebacker Jacob Martin.
Martin has impressed a lot this offseason, training camp and preseason scrimmage. Also remember he was a part of the trade of Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks. Martin has become the most improved player on the Houston Texans this offseason, and if any players adds to his on-field playing time from last season going into this year, it is Martin.
In very limited time on the field in 2019, Marin was graded by Pro Football Focus with a grade of 56.5, as he totaled just three tackles, but he did have four sacks in a total of 221 defensive snaps and 137 special team snaps.
Last season also saw Jacob Martin blitz 16 times for the Houston Texans, while he also had three QB hurries and one QB knockdown. Martin also totaled eight QB pressures in his first season with the Texans and just started to scratch the surface as to what he can achieve if given more playing time in regular-season games.
In the two playoff games last season, Jacob Martin had a fumble recovery, one sack, two tackles for loss and two QB hits. The potential is there, so now it is time for all of that potential to turn into more playing time, and then the results should start to show up for the linebacker.
Houston Texans News: Bill O’Brien says Martin has has a good camp
On Wednesday following the Texans’ intrasquad scrimmage, O’Brien was asked about which players stood out. In comments provided by NFL Communications, the Houston Texans head coach said the following:
"“Jacob Martin played good tonight. That was the guy probably that stood out. You know, Stevie Mitchell made a few plays. Scottie Phillips ran hard. No, but Jacob Martin, he’s had a good camp.”"
Currently Martin sits behind Brennan Scarlett at outside linebacker, but after the offseason and camp Martin has had, it would be tough to imagine he doesn’t get more playing time to contribute to the Houston Texans defense this season, meaning less time on the field for Scarlett.
Martin has changed the minds of more than a few folks in what he can accomplish if given the time needed in a game to make a difference.
There have to be defensive packages set up for Martin to be on the field more in 2020, and if he’s able to gain sacks at the same rate he did a season ago, the pass rushing linebacker could help make the Texans defense special and exciting in 2020.