NFL Draft 2016 Round 2: Houston Texans Select Nick Martin

With the 50th pick in Round 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select…

Nick Martin!

The Texans traded up from the 52nd slot to the 50th with the Atlanta Falcons, giving up their 6th-rounder (195th pick).

For the first time in recent memory, the Texans have pretty much filled their off season needs via free agency before the draft.

The Texans went out and nabbed top free agents in Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller to plug the gaping holes vacated by Arian Foster and whomever was the flavor of the week under center.

But the draft certainly comes at the right time where supplemental needs are to be filled.

Now is the time more than ever to ensure that the Texans can’t miss in these later rounds because a lot of these guys found will likely have a solid role on our roster.

You don’t have to take my word for it, ESPN’s Trey Wingo has mentioned that the 33 percent of an NFL team’s final roster are filled with picks in Rounds 4 through 7.

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That’s an interesting stat so the Texans will need to do everything they can to make it count and ensure that our fan base is proud of their work.

After all, it’s the fans that our the fuel to the NFL’s massive engine right?

I’m thrilled that the Texans were able to find some quality help in this round and Martin could certainly be someone we’d see regularly lined up on offense.

Martin was one of the top centers available in the draft and the Texans went out and got their man.

There were numerous questions as to who would play center this season after the team lost Ben Jones to free agency via the Tennessee Titans.

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The Texans did sign former Oakland Raiders backup center Tony Bergstrom in the off season but I had a feeling that Bill O’Brien wasn’t done.

Martin, who’s the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin, brings a ton of versatility to the table as his skills were honed as a Golden Domer.

As we know, this is certainly a theme of the type of players that the Texans like to draft.

So how is he versatile?

Not only the guy — who has a 6’4,” 299-pound frame with 32 1/2-inch arm length and 9 3/4-inch hands — can play center but can also slide over to the guard position just like his brother.

Although Martin started all of his games at center in 2015, he started 10 games at left guard in 2014.

He’s been highly-regarded as extremely physical, a leader and usually the first one out of the gamut to his assignment once a particular play starts.

His weaknesses?

Martin suffered a knee injury in 2013 and has had an uphill battle with limitations that could have an adverse effect on his explosiveness.

However, he has started all games since his return back in the 2014 season.

Next: Houston Texans Select Will Fuller At No. 21

But with the type of character he has along with his intelligence and no-holds-barred mindset, there’s no doubt that he’s the type of player that will rise above it.

But you don’t have to take my word for it, here’s what the experts have to say.

Mike Mayock of NFL Network:

"“The Texans signed a quarterback in free agent. So, first you draft a wide receiver in Will Fuller. Then, you draft one of the top centers in the draft. Martin could play in the league for 10 years.”"

Here’s what Pro Football Focus had to say:

Texans earn an A- for the Nick Martin pick. One of draft's best centers and a great fit in Houston's zone scheme: https://t.co/6kegdJIumi
— PFF (@PFF) April 30, 2016

According to PFF, Martin didn’t allow any sacks and only five hurries in 2015. His 99.1 pass blocking efficiency rating was 2nd-best among centers in this year’s draft.

Based from all of this information about Martin, I think the Texans have officially found a replacement for Jones.

We’ll have to see how this pans out.

Go Texans!

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