Giants to Sign LB Kareem Martin

The New York Giants are continuing to address the linebacker position on the defense.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Giants are going to sign former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kareem Martin. No contract details were revealed at the time of this writing.

Connection With Bettcher

By joining the Giants, Martin is reunited with former defensive coordinator James Bettcher during his time in Arizona. The 2014 third round pick out of North Carolina saw time as both a linebacker and defensive end as a Cardinal.

Martin received his time as a starter last season, after linebacker Markus Golden suffered a season ending ACL injury in October. In 2017, Martin recorded 24 total tackles, three pass deflections, one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble.

During his four seasons with Arizona, Martin has 51 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one interception in 56 games.

A 3-4 Fit in New York

Now, Martin finds himself with the Giants, where have just undergone a regime change. Head coach Pat Shurmrur brought in Bettcher to switch from New York’s typical 4-3 defense to a 3-4. What better choice for Bettcher than to bring in a familiar face to run his style of defense.

Martin brings options for the Giants, especially at linebacker. With Devon Kennard leaving for the Detroit Lions in free agency, there were holes at the linebacker position. New York recently acquired Alec Ogletree from the Los Angeles Rams in a trade. Outside of Ogletree, there was no depth behind him. Now, Martin can help provide help at the middle of the field.

Not only that, but Martin could see time as a rotational defensive end behind Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul.

The signing of Martin provides the Giants depth at two positions for the price of one.