In the wake of the big news that offensive tackle Nate Solder will sign with the New York Giants, the team also made a more under-the-radar move in agreeing to terms with former Cardinals linebacker Kareem Martin. Terms of the deal have not yet been announced.
The 26-year-old was selected in the third round (84th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2014. Martin started his career as a defensive end, but began to play the outside linebacker position in his second year. In his four seasons (all with the Cardinals) he has appeared in 56 games, 14 of them coming as a starter.
Began to see the field more often in 2017
As mentioned, Martin has started 14 games but 10 of those came last season as he was thrust into the lineup due to injury. His final stats on the year weren’t anything to write home about: 24 tackles, one sack, one interception, and three pass deflections. But he didn’t look lost out there on the field in his first real taste of extended time on it. Pro Football Focus had him ranked 57th out of 106 edge rushers which put Martin right near the middle.
Teams back up with Bettcher
On Tuesday, the Giants agreed to a deal with long-time Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart. Stewart will be reunited with the Giants' new offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who was previously the Panthers' offensive coordinator from 2013-17.
Continuing the theme of familiarity, Martin will be reunited with the Giants' new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. He was the Cardinals' defensive coordinator from 2015-17. The fact that Stewart and Martin have plenty of previous history with their current respective coordinators should help make the transition to their new team more seamless.
Giants looking toward a revamped linebacker corps
Martin becomes the second new linebacker to join the Giants this offseason. Last week, the team acquired Alec Ogletree from the Los Angeles Rams, along with a 2019 seventh-round pick in exchange for 2018 fourth and sixth-round picks.
The team has already seen outside linebacker Devon Kennard part ways, as he has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Detroit Lions.
Linebackers Keenan Robinson, Kelvin Sheppard, and Jonathan Casillas are all free agents who are currently unsigned. Those three combined to start 17 games for the Giants while Kennard started 11. The team did re-sign veteran linebacker Mark Herzlich. He missed all of last year with a stinger but sees most of his action on special teams.
