2014 3rd Round Cardinals pick #84 Kareem Martin DE University of North Carolina

[BigRedRage]

Former North Carolina head coach Butch Davis did an extraordinary job of identifying and recruiting defensive linemen to the Tar Heels. His success has been played out on draft day with UNC earning a reputation as "D-Line U" with former Tar Heels Sylvester Williams (Broncos, 2013), Quinton Coples (Jets, 2012) and Robert Quinn (Rams, 2011) earning first round selections the past three years. Martin possesses the frame to earn similar consideration and is hoping to continue the Tar Heels' impressive run.

Despite beginning his tenure at UNC with plenty of fanfare after earning starts in the first three games of his collegiate career, Martin's time in Chapel Hill has featured more flash than dominance. After consecutive four-sack seasons during his sophomore and junior years, Martin totaled 11 sacks in a breakout senior campaign that earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Martin continued his strong senior campaign in Mobile, with a solid week of practice and four tackles (including 1.5 for loss) during the game, itself. So where was this production earlier? The truth of the matter is, Martin is better against the run that the pass and has been effective in this role throughout his career, averaging nearly 15 tackles for loss a year over the past three seasons. His game is built upon his length and power to control at the line of scrimmage rather than burst or fluidity, making him an ideal base (left) end in a traditional 4-3 alignment.

Player profile:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737549/kareem-martin
http://draftbreakdown.com/players/kareem-martin/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JV_zV27TV0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYftzD-Ok1I

Combine:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kareem-martin?id=2543738

Evan Silva‏@evansilva3 mins
New #Cardinals DE Kareem Martin: 6'6/272, 35" arms. 44 career TFLs, 19 sacks, 4 FFs. 31 Wonderlic score. Explosive 10'9" broad jump. 4.72 40

NFL draft trackers shows him tied for 3rd highest grade in rd3 so far at 5.6

Darren Urban‏@Cardschatter2 mins
Martin, at 6-6, is the lengthy, athletic guy Keim was hoping to add on defense. #CardsDraft
Martin will play OLB in base, and then can be on line and rush from inside or outside in sub-packages, Arians said. #CardsDraft

 

[D-Dogg]

I like it..projected 2nd to 3rd round, we get him late third.

Seems like Calais clone. NFL.com had notes that he could play 3-4 OLB in a 2 gap system. Found that interesting to be that athletic at that size. Apparently sick combine numbers.

Physical, big, long, smart football IQ, good leadership and character. Calais 2.0. Our defense is going to be so sick for a long time.

 

[Harry]

He's not as strong as Campbell. He will hopefully help in a few situational plays. Something of a project that could be nice if he develops.

 

[Seandonic]

Could someone explain this pick to me? Too small to play 34DE. Too big and slow to play 34 OLB. A traditional 43 DE on a 34 team...??????

 

[Dr. Jones]

Martin will play OLB in base, and then can be on line and rush from inside or outside in sub-packages, Arians said. #CardsDraft

.

 

[D-Dogg]

Possesses very intriguing dimensions for a rush OLB role in a traditional, two-gapping, 3-4 alignment and showed he is athletic enough to handle it at his pro day.

NFL.com

 

[Dr. Jones]

Kent Somers @kentsomers
Arians also says Pat P's days as a WR might be over.

.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I cannot believe the crickets about this pick.

Nobody likes/hates this pick.

I really like it.

For all the OCD draft followers, he was chosen where he was projected.

For all the value guys, he is a edge player that will be good depth, IMO.

The way I was thinking about Kareem Martin is that he is kinda of like a smaller Calias Campbell, but athletic enough to play OLB.

Sounds good to me. I was pretty excited when I heard they picked him.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I cannot believe the crickets about this pick.

Nobody likes/hates this pick.

I really like it.

For all the OCD draft followers, he was chosen where he was projected.

For all the value guys, he is a edge player that will be good depth, IMO.

The way I was thinking about Kareem Martin is that he is kinda of like a smaller Calias Campbell, but athletic enough to play OLB.

Sounds good to me. I was pretty excited when I heard they picked him.

As I said in another post I really liked what this kid did at the combine. He looked like an amazing athlete and was very fluid for a lengthy guy. You can watch his combine highlights here:

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...In-Third/696ee44d-bbe0-4bc3-b1f9-3a584811c7cd

I'm just concerned about his consistency from what I've read about him. Sounds like he needs some seasoning still. But that is what you would expect from a 3rd rounder.

 

[THESMEL]

best pick of the draft so far- I see him at OLB of the future- mostly pass rush -much better than the Andre Roberts over Everson Griffin pick in whatever year that was- where the Vikings did everything I wanted the Cards to do -

 

[RugbyMuffin]

As I said in another post I really liked what this kid did at the combine. He looked like an amazing athlete and was very fluid for a lengthy guy. You can watch his combine highlights here:

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...In-Third/696ee44d-bbe0-4bc3-b1f9-3a584811c7cd

I'm just concerned about his consistency from what I've read about him. Sounds like he needs some seasoning still. But that is what you would expect from a 3rd rounder.

Thanks MCD,

I looked, and looked, and didn't see that thread.

Makes sense now.