Jacob Martin Brings Speed to Colts Edge Rush: Film Room

Veteran pass rusher Jacob Martin is an intriguing depth signing for the Indianapolis Colts at this stage of the offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts added value to their pass rush room this past Thursday, signing veteran edge rusher Jacob Martin to a one-year deal. Martin, 27, has amassed 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his five-year NFL career. He has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, New York Jets, and the Denver Broncos before joining the Colts last week.

Martin was most notably known for being the main piece coming back to the Texans in the Jadeveon Clowney trade back in 2019. Despite being shipped off for a highly touted player such as Clowney, Martin was able to make a name for himself in Houston. In fact, Martin actually had more sacks in 2019 with the Texans (3.5) than Clowney did with the Seahawks (3.0).

Martin was originally a sixth-round pick out of Temple back in the 2018 NFL Draft. He notably ran a 4.59 forty-yard dash while excelling in the three-cone drill with an incredible 6.90 second time.

With pick 186 in the 2018 NFL Draft, the #Seahawks selected Jacob Martin, LB, Temple.

He posted a great #RAS with good size, good speed, good explosiveness, good agility at the LB position.#Seahawks pic.twitter.com/rEtMISSRk2

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) June 11, 2019

Martin has mostly been the same player that he was back when he was drafted, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. His career has consistently hovered around 3-4 sacks a season, with his career-high being the four he had back in 2021 with the Texans.

He has struggled throughout his five-year career with run defense, tackling, and overall consistency, but there is no denying his ability as a pass rusher. Martin is a developed speed rusher who understands how to use his bend and his speed to his advantage.

He has spent a considerable amount of time building up his pass-rush repertoire, and it is noticeable how much better he has gotten over the years at shedding offensive tackles on the edge. His patented cross-chop is a highly effective rush move that leaves offensive linemen flailing as he corners around them.

Silky smooth cross-chop-rip from Jacob Martin for the sack pic.twitter.com/J3mOw4x3sU

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 13, 2019

Martin had a bit of a difficult year in 2022, bouncing between two different teams and hitting the lowest sack total of his career. This past season came on the heels of signing a solid three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Jets in the offseason.

Despite being traded at the midway point of last season to the Broncos, Martin did have some strong reps on film. In 155 pass rush snaps a year ago, Martin totaled 25 pressures and 2.5 sacks across the two teams. His 9.8 PRP (a Pro Football Focus metric that looks at pressures in relation to total snaps) was the 11th best among all edge rushers last year.

Martin isn't the type of player who is going to excel as a starter in the NFL, but if he sits in that 125-200 pass rush snaps range (like he will with the Colts in 2023), then he is an efficient and effective sub player to have:

I was out all weekend but now I finally have time to talk about this..

Jacob Martin is a good depth signing for the Colts pass rush. 25 pressures in 155 pass rush snaps a year ago. 11th among edge rushers in PFF's PRP stat as well.

Cross chop is still quite deadly too pic.twitter.com/U5EMJlu97h

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) September 5, 2023

Overall, Martin is a talented pass rusher who is best suited as a rotational player in an attacking scheme. His bend and his pass rush prowess make him the perfect reliever for the Colts' current aces of Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Dayo Odeyingbo.

Martin will likely settle in as the Colts' fourth or fifth pass rusher this season, but this signing gives the team a strong second-wave pass rusher to rotate into games. This is a valuable commodity that should give the Colts' pass rush a solid boost in 2023.

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