THE NEXT IN LINE?

The introduction came Friday at the Giants’ practice facility, as one overachieving NFL inside linebacker met what might be considered a younger version of himself, in some ways.

Micah McFadden, rookie, meet Blake Martinez, veteran.

“Obviously everybody wants to play, but I want to be a starter and perform at a high level in this league,’’ McFadden told The Post on Saturday after the second rookie minicamp practice. “That’s definitely someone I would look up to, and I’m excited to learn from a guy like that.’’

George Young, the Hall of Fame former Giants general manager, used to say there is no such thing as reincarnation when it comes to scouting — one player is not reborn in another player. It was his way of refraining from making comparisons, as he was not a fan of the popular game of, “Who does this guy remind you of ?’’

In deference to Young, McFadden, a three-year starter at Indiana and a member of the Giants’ 11-man 2022 draft class, is not the second coming of Martinez, the returning starting inside linebacker and defensive signalcaller. They are not the exact same player, but there are similarities that are undeniable.

Martinez was taken in the fourth round by the Packers in the 2014 draft, with overall pick No. 131. McFadden was selected by the Giants in the fifth round at pick No. 146.

When Martinez was entering the draft out of Stanford, he was viewed as a mid-round prospect. He was considered an old-fashioned run-stopper and not the new-age quicker, twitchier linebackers the league seemingly coveted. Borderline speed, below-average lateral quickness, average awareness dropping into coverage.

Eight years later, McFadden’s profile, according to scouts, is somewhat similar. Not great range outside of a confined space. Not great agility dropping into coverage. A bit undersized.

Martinez coming out of college (and now) was listed at 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds. McFadden is 6-1, 240, a bit shorter but bulkier than Martinez. Martinez put up 22 reps on the bench press at the scouting combine, McFadden 21.

This is not a connect-the-dots exercise to lead to the assumption that McFadden can turn out to be another Martinez. Stranger things have happened, though.

“I think everybody plays different but definitely somebody I can learn from and use what he’s learned in the league and how he