Giants will sign Arizona DE/OLB Kareem Martin, per report

The New York Giants will reportedly sign outside linebacker Kareem Martin, a player who spent the last few seasons playing for Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher with the Arizona Cardinals.

Martin, 26, is a player we identified as a possible free-agent target for the Giants.

Why it makes sense

Martin is not a front-line star player. Rather, he is an ascending edge player who is familiar with Bettcher’s defense and is coming off his best year. Martin was a third-round pick by the Cardinals in 2014, and spent the last four seasons with them. He started 10 games in 2017, with one sacks and 23 tackles.

Martin is a natural defensive end who has learned how to play outside under Bettcher. He could provide the Giants depth and options at both positions. He also seems like a natural replacement for Devon Kennard, who signed with the Detroit Lions.

Here is a little piece from the free-agent profile I did on Martin:

One scout told me that the “the light turned on” for Martin, 6-foot-6 and listed at 272 pounds, when he became comfortable at the outside linebacker. That same scout told me he could be a “huge asset” for the Giants, but that he would be “shocked” to see the Cardinals let him get away.

Well, the Cardinals have and that could be to the Giants’ benefit.