Keshawn

Martin

A favorite of NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, Martin goes 5-foot-11, 188 and ran a 4.43 forty at the Combine. He projects as a slot receiver in the pros, and an immediate return specialist in Houston, sealing Jacoby Jones’ fate. Martin scored 18 career touchdowns at Michigan State, finding five different ways to find the end zone. He was an absolute value late in round four.

Bullock is probably the likeliest rookie here to make a fantasy impact in year one, but Martin was a pre-draft favorite of NFL Films guru Greg Cosell and could be a quick contributor in the slot. Slot receiver just hasn’t been an overly productive position in Houston, particularly as they’ve become more run heavy.

Now a decidedly run-heavy team, Houston doesn’t utilize the slot receiver as much as most clubs. Third-rounder DeVier Posey, on the other hand, was drafted to “challenge to be the No. 3 receiver, and perhaps a No. 2 within a year.” Posey could end up battling Lestar Jean for the third receiver role this summer.

The Texans shopped Jones hard during draft weekend, but predictably found no takers for his $3 million salary. Jones then asked for his release on Monday. Although the coaching staff had a soft spot for Jones, he wrote his ticket out of town with a mistake-filled game in the Texans’ playoff loss at Baltimore. Rookies DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin will likely vie for the No. 3 role in Houston. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens, who hosted similar player Ted Ginn on a free agent visit, kick Jones’ tires as a return specialist. The Louisiana native could also draw a look from the Saints.

Martin is a quick-twitch slot receiver with terrific short-area quickness and straight-line speed, and he’s pushing Lestar Jean for work in three-wide sets. More so than third-rounder DeVier Posey, Martin is a candidate for rookie snaps on offense. Posey is working as the second-team “Z,” behind Kevin Walter.

“He’s a talented young man. He’s the one guy out of the rookies that has acted like a pro from the get-go, handling himself mentally, physically and can run all day,” said Kubiak. “You coach him on something one time and it’s fixed. He’s a really sharp kid and professional in the meeting room ... He’s just all business, and that’s what pro football is all about.” In addition to emerging as the favorite in the slot, Martin is also in the mix for the primary kick-return job.

Credit the Chronicle’s Lance Zierlein for nailing this one from the get-go. While the Texans are high on Lestar Jean, he’s better suited to the outside behind Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter whereas Martin’s quickness and hands are ideal for the slot. A favorite of NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell, Martin has been “outstanding” in OTAs, minicamp and now training camp. The former Michigan State star is skyrocketing up the Dynasty rookie ranks, but remains a long shot for redraft value in Houston’s run-oriented offense.

Martin is a naturally explosive return man who should see some snaps at slot receiver as a rookie. “He needs to learn some things about the pro athlete he’s going against,” Kubiak explained. “Sometimes when he separates, he thinks it’s over. You’ve got to keep playing, so that’s just something to get used to, but I like his work habits. ... He has an excellent chance.”

Meggett isn’t quite the returner that his Pro Bowl father and former Giants star, Dave, was in the 1980s. Rookie Keshawn Martin appears to be the early favorite to take over for Jacoby Jones, though Trindon Holliday and Juaquin Iglesias are also in the mix.

Kubiak knew the Texans were drafting a kick returner in Martin, but he now believes the former Michigan State star can help offensively as a rookie. “He’s been exceptional throughout OTAs,” said Kubiak. “He’s doing more than probably I thought he could do at this point.” Martin is vying with Lestar Jean and DeVier Posey for snaps in multi-wide sets.