OLB Jacob Martin says he will excel in whatever the Texans ask him to do

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jacob Martin has flourished as of late, in large part because he will do whatever the team asks of him.

The name Jacob Martin no longer stands as a “throw-in” for the Houston Texans’ trade away of Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks. He is a blossoming pass-rusher for the 8-4 team down in Houston.

In back-to-back prime time games, Martin has shown just that. While defeating both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, the second-year Temple product has 2.5 sacks and four quarterbacks, leading the Texans through those two weeks.

Martin’s recent boom of production should come as no surprise. He’s worked at it meticulously and, since joining the team on Aug. 31, has volunteered to do whatever he can.

“I would just say, just staying consistent with my craft and my technique. Not changing anything up, not changing my preparation up,” said Martin on his development on Thursday. “And, obviously, just waiting for my number to be called.”

Through 12 active games, Martin has played in 35% of special teams snaps (111) and 22.5% of defensive ones (183). Recently, he’s seen an uptick in defensive snaps, going from 13 to 24 to 45 since Week 10.

“Anything I can do for this team, I will,” continued Martin. “Whatever they ask me to do. If that’s strictly special teams, then that’s special teams. If that’s pass-rushing, that’s pass-rushing. But, whatever they ask me to do, I will excel at.”

Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel sees growth in Martin. In the process, he is experimenting by moving him around and giving him a bigger role in the defense.

“I think he is beginning to experiment with different moves. His straight-line ability really helps because he’s really fast off the edge, but he’s been experimenting with things and we’ve been moving him around a little bit along that front.”

The Texans have struggled to get to the quarterback in 2019. That is only emphasized since J.J. Watt’s pectoral tear in Week 8, which earned him a spot on the injured reserve. Perhaps Martin will provide a boost as Houston gears up for a playoff run.