Thursday marked the first day the Houston Texans allowed the local media to attend organized team activities. The new-look Texans showcased a portion of their roster overhaul after an offseason that featured first-year general manager Nick Caserio making 90 or more roster moves.
Among the new changes were Jonathan Greenard and Jacob Martin working out with the defensive line core, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-TV] Houston. Although they only have a combined four years of NFL experience between the two of them, both Greenard and Martin have played their entire career at linebacker. Now, they were coming off the ball with a hand in the dirt.
#Texans D-line coach Bobby King working with #54 Jacob Martin, who has been a linebacker but now listed as a defensive lineman, along with #94 Charles Omenihu. pic.twitter.com/doq4lkmElS
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 27, 2021
#52 Jonathan Greenard, drafted last year as a linebacker, now listed as a defensive lineman and working with the D-line. pic.twitter.com/91XF4Be87z
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 27, 2021
With Greenard and Martin getting reps with the d-line core, there is a possibility that Lovie Smith has already made his first major adjustment as Houston’s new defensive coordinator. And Smith’s coaching change could result in both players receiving an increase in their snaps next season.
Greenard, who joined the Texans as an outside linebacker from Florida, appeared in 24 percent of the Texans’ defensive snaps during his rookie season last year. Martin saw a total of 154 more snaps during his second year in Houston after appearing in 221 plays in 2019. The Texans acquired Martin as an outside linebacker from the Seahawks in exchange for Jadeveon Clowney.
Should Greenard and Martin play on the defensive front next season, this would not be the first time the Texans experimented with switching a player’s position. Last year, Lonnie Johnson made the switch from corner to safety and appeared to have found his niche in the NFL.
