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Lions host Marcus Martin for pre-draft visit

The Detroit Lions brought in an interior offensive lineman from USC for a pre-draft visit on Monday.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions turned their focus to the offensive line on Monday by bringing in USC center Marcus Martin for a pre-draft visit, according to Tim Twentyman. Martin is only the second offensive lineman known to have visited the Lions so far (Taylor Lewan is the other), and he's the first interior offensive lineman to stop by in advance of the draft.

Martin is considered by many to be the top center in the 2014 NFL Draft. He actually started at left guard in 2011 and 2012, but he shifted over to center this past season and did quite well. Martin made it quite clear on Monday that's he comfortable at both guard and center.

Martin could be an option for the Lions in the second round. They don't need a new starting center this year with Dominic Raiola back, but they could use a player at that position to develop for the future. In the short term, a player like Martin could potentially push Rob Sims for the starting left guard job, and in the long term, a player like Martin would be in line to take over for Raiola at center a year or two down the road.

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