Jacob Martin was one of the few newcomers to the 2019 Houston Texans who had to be a quick study.
The former Seattle Seahawks 2018 sixth-round pick spent his preseason with the NFC West club. However, he found himself with the Texans following the trading of Jadveon Clowney to Seattle.
“I would say there’s a tremendous difference in returning after a season where I was kind of just thrown in the fire as soon as I got here,” Martin said. “I was traded and I got here the Saturday before we went to start the [New Orleans] Saints prep. Everyone was coming off of camp and four preseason games and I’m coming in trying to learn as much as I can and learn as we travel week to week and just build my playbook knowledge last year.”
Martin produced 3.5 sacks and even added 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery in the Texans’ 22-19 overtime win versus the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card. It was good enough considering the circumstances, but the 24-year-old seeks to improve, and the Texans aim to take advantage of his edge defending talents.
“Jacob has a unique skillset,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s going to play a lot of football for us this year. He plays really hard. He’s got good speed for the position that he plays.”
Martin has a third defensive coordinator in as many seasons with defensive line coach Anthony Weaver taking the reins, but the terminology and overall system remains the same.
“This year I’m a lot more familiar with the terminology and just understanding what coach is talking about,” said Martin.
The 6-2, 242-pound outside linebacker’s familiarity with the system is evident in how he has practiced throughout training camp.
“He’s definitely more comfortable in our system,” O’Brien said. “Coming from Seattle, which is a great system, coming into our system, just some things are different. He’s done a good job of picking that up.”
Houston has high expectations for Martin, who can help beef up a pass rush that generated 31 sacks last season, the sixth-fewest in the league.
