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The Bengals have been very insistent that the team would like to use Carl Lawson as a linebacker more in 2018.
One consequence of that is the team will have to find a defensive end to replace his production. The team currently only has Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson and Jordan Willis at the position. It looks like the Bengals will be looking at the draft as the source for a rotational pass rusher, and they are bringing one in for a visit with some pedigree.
Temple OLB-DE Jacob Martin, Jets LB Josh Martin's brother, has had top 30 visits and or workouts with Raiders, Lions, Falcons, Giants, Jets, Colts, Patriots, will be taking top 30 visits to the Rams and Bengals. Seahawks interested, too
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 13, 2018
According to Aaron Wilson, Temple OLD/DE Jacob Martin is visiting the Bengals on an official visit. He’s a versatile defender who could become a linebacker or defensive end based on the defense of whatever team he ends up on. He comes in around 6’2” and 250 pounds, but he also showed off some solid athleticism at his pro day. He ran a sub 4.60 second 40-yard dash.
Martin’s brother, Josh Martin, went undrafted in 2013, but he has managed to stick to a roster for the past five years. Jacob Martin didn’t set the world on fire during his pro day, but he may have done enough to get himself drafted.
At this point, Martin could end up being a Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent. Right now, the Bengals have three seventh-round selections to work with, so they could see him as a guy they pick just to make sure they get him in camp rather than risk losing out on him to another team. But, bringing him in and talking him up on an official visit is likely another way they’ll look to lure him to Cincinnati if he lasts until after the draft is over.
Martin was productive in his last year at Temple. He recorded eight sacks, as well as 11.5 tackles for a loss. He obviously needs to develop into a position at the pro level though. Although, the versatility could be pretty appealing to the Bengals defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who has hinted about running a more versatile defense.
This visit keeps in line with the idea of the Bengals bringing in players who weren’t invited to the Scouting Combine to get a better look at some outside of the box prospects. It is something they like to do, and it makes sense to get a closer look at the guys they didn’t get a chance to see in Indianapolis, rather than look at a player they have seen several times before.
Obviously, Martin isn’t a name that will cause fans to drop confetti, but he could be a nice depth pick, even if the Bengals select a defensive end earlier in the draft.