Doug Martin looks to resurrect his status as an explosive, playmaking running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A few weeks ago I may have raised some eyebrows if typed this sentence: 2017 may be the return of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin.
Now, some people could argue that he never really left in the first place. After all, he technically didn't, carrying the ball 144 times for 421 yards and three touchdowns last season. However, between hamstring issues and a league-issued suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy, it is safe to say that last season was one he would like to forget.
Those are some of the biggest reasons as to why Doug Martin will be a "dark horse" for the Buccaneers. With that being said, his suspension will carry over into the first four games of the campaign. In his absence, the Buccaneers have a solid stable of backs at their disposal. However, with all due respect to their efforts, they are not the player Martin is. Once he returns, chances are he will come back with a vengeance, ready to prove that he can still be a top running back.
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What kind of production should we expect from him? Missing four games of the season will not help his numbers. Even still, I expect him to have an above-average season. Chances are his numbers will not be as good as 2015, but not terrible either. In 2015, he rushed the ball 288 times for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns.
100-plus carries for 850 yards and four touchdowns is a sound estimate. Even with the talent Tampa Bay has at the running back position, I would expect him to get a good amount of the carries. He probably will be eased into the role a bit upon his return. However, by season's end, he should be able to get the majority of the carries.
By all accounts, he is still the same, dangerous Doug Martin. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo spoke to Bucs general manager Jason Licht as the team ended their minicamp on Thursday and he gave nothing but rave reviews about his running back:
"I had a conversation with [Licht]. He said, '[Martin] looks lean, he looks like he's finishing his runs — obviously, there is no contact in the spring — but it looks like he's finishing his runs. He looks like he's got that burst. He looks like the Doug Martin of 2015."
For those who play fantasy football, it might be a wise idea to pick him up in your fantasy draft. CBS Sports had Martin listed as one of their fantasy draft sleepers in an article published Monday.
The Buccaneers sound excited and they should be. Doug Martin appears to be back. If he is like the Martin of past seasons, there will be no stopping him.
