Haruki

Nakamura

Colts owner Jim Irsay is intent on keeping Mathis, so the Titans may not get a shot at the pass rusher. Nelson, a priority for the Bengals and also expected to draw interest from Miami, would be a fallback option to Michael Griffin. Nakamura is valued for his special teams prowess. The Tennessean also suggests CB Brandon Carr as a possibility after the Chiefs’ signing of Stanford Routt.

The Panthers believe Nakamura can push incumbent starter Sherrod Martin, who’s coming off a disappointing 2011 campaign. Primarily a special teamer, Nakamura played behind safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard in Baltimore. He managed just 39 defensive snaps last season.

Nakamura, who played behind Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard last season, is in search of more playing time than the Ravens are able to offer. The Panthers used Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin at safety a year ago.

“I would love to be back with the Ravens, but I also want the opportunity to compete for more playing time,” Nakamura said. With Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed entrenched at safety, Nakamura played just 34 defensive snaps last season. The Baltimore Sun expects the Colts and Bengals to be among the teams to give Nakamura a look on the open market.

Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec believes both players will be able to find “decent contracts” and more playing time on the open market. Nakamura made just 12 tackles in a reserve role last season, while Zbikowski was benched in favor of Bernard Pollard and missed two games with a concussion. Zrebiec reports the Colts, Titans and Bengals could all have interest in Nakamura.

Nakamura has been a premier special teamer since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2008. He played just 39 defensive snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus, but Nakamura has the skills to merit a bigger role. Coming off a disappointing season, FS Sherrod Martin could be on the hot seat.

Martin struggled badly at times last season, missing tackles and giving up too many big plays. Although Martin may have the edge in coverage skills, Nakamura is better in run support.

According to the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person, escalators can increase the contract’s total value to $5.5 million. Nakamura, 25, is expected to compete for a starting job with the Panthers after playing just 39 defensive snaps with Baltimore last season.

Nakamura is primarily a special teamer and backup safety. “It will be interesting to see how it works out,” Nakamura said. “It would be great to be back here, but it’s a business and we’ve got to figure out what’s going on.”

Martin is “on alert” after the Panthers signed Haruki Nakamura and Reggie Smith, but still has the inside track to a starting job. It’s possible Martin and Nakamura could end up splitting snaps, with Martin playing obvious passing downs and Nakamura obvious running downs.