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Texans trade up to draft center Nick Martin

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Houston Texans selected center Nick Martin out of Notre Dame in the second round round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Houston traded the 52nd and 195th overall picks to the Atlanta Falcons in order to select Martin 50th overall.

Martin is the brother of Dallas Cowboys two-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin, and is the second Notre Dame player drafted by the Texans this year, joining first-round pick Will Fuller.

Versatile enough to play either center or guard, Martin figures to be a staple of the Texans' offensive line for years to come.

Nick Martin Bio

Position: C
School: Notre Dame
College Experience: Senior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 299 lbs.

Strengths

  • Intelligent leader. Communicated audibles and adjustments to the rest of offensive line. Named team captain in junior and senior seasons.
  • Tough. Played through injuries throughout career and exhibits non-stop play-to-the-whistle aggressiveness in the run game.
  • Versatile. Transitioned between both guard positions & center with ease.
  • Brother of All-Pro Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin.

Weaknesses

  • Injury concerns. Had multiple knee injuries at Notre Dame and particularly favored his knee through his senior season. An NFC North scout told NFL.com, "He was much more athletic before his knee injury. He's had to fight through some physical limitations and I know that he's been frustrated because of that."
  • Limited range. Knee injuries have reduced his ability to be agile and make pull blocks.
  • Top Heavy. Gets pushed back while pass blocking if he stands too tall and loses balance.

Combine Results

Event Result
40-yd Dash 5.22 sec
Bench Press 28 reps
Broad Jump 97 inches
3-Cone Drill 7.57 sec
20-yd Shuttle 4.72 sec

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