Bengals Prepare for a Linebacker Transition
Cincinnati is actively evaluating its linebacker options as it faces a potential roster shift. With a pre-draft meeting arranged with Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin, the team appears intent on reinforcing its defensive unit. The pending move comes amid uncertainty surrounding veteran Germaine Pratt, whose future in Cincinnati remains unclear after a recent trade request. While the organization has yet to move on from Pratt, his status may change if a suitable trade cannot be completed.
Nick Martin’s Athletic Profile
Nick Martin offers an intriguing blend of speed and athleticism despite his smaller frame at 5‑11 and 221 pounds. He recorded a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and demonstrated his agility by testing in the 85th percentile for linebackers. In 2023, Martin posted 140 tackles, including 16 for loss, along with six sacks and two interceptions. His previous season was limited by a knee injury that restricted him to just five games, during which he accumulated 47 tackles, eight of them for loss. His performances suggest that, while his size could affect his draft position, his explosiveness and tackle ability make him a compelling addition to a team looking to bolster depth.
Competitive Interest and Potential Role
Martin’s rising profile has drawn attention from multiple NFL teams, with additional pre-draft visits already scheduled by the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints. Despite concerns over inconsistent play recognition—marked by occasional misreads of play design and difficulties in run fits—he possesses the speed to excel in tackling when he maintains proper discipline. His capacity for blitzing, albeit counterbalanced by challenges in coverage, makes him a candidate to contribute significantly on special teams. Projected as a day three pick, his explosive potential could prove valuable as teams look to secure depth behind their linebacking cores.
