The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shopped Doug Martin at the trade deadline and after not making a deal, the team may look at one after the season and teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Patriots, NY Giants and Oakland Raiders all could be interested in making a move, as Doug Martin was a former first round pick and could bounce back after two disappointing seasons.
The Buccaneers did not end up trading Vincent Jackson or Doug Martin at the trade deadline, but ESPN.com and other media outlets reported the team was willing to take offers. Jackson is a very good player, but he has a big contract and the team just dratted Mike Evans, a player they think can take over as the number one receiver. Martin is in a similar situation, as the team drafted Charles Sims and they have high hopes for him, while Bobby Rainey has stepped up with Martin in and out of the lineup.
Martin had a fantastic rookie season, but after playing in just six games last year and not looking great this season, the team could look at a deal. ESPN.com reported that the Buccaneers are hoping to get a decent draft pick if they move Martin and it comes after he was the number 31 pick in the first round of the draft a few years ago, taken ahead of David Wilson. The Giants likely won't make a move after signing Rashad Jennings and drafting Andre Williams, but it has been reported in the NY media Jerry Reese had wanted Martin badly and took David Wilson after Martin was taken in the pick just before the Giants.
The 25 year old Martin has the potential to be a steal if he can bounce back and if this season doesn't go well the rest of the way, he could be in danger of getting traded. The Buccaneers have just one win this season and they have not played well overall and selling some players for draft picks could be a solid move. Lovie Smith would set his team up to get better through the draft and while the team likes Martin, it might be a good idea to sell now when he has some value, even with this so-so season.
Martin has not had any good performances this season and he has just 166 yards in five games. Martin is averaging less than three yards per carry and has just nine catches for 54 yards. That performance is a long way from where he was as a rookie, as he rushed for over 1400 yards that season and was one of the most productive backs in football.
Martin ended up with 1454 yards in 16 games on 319 carries while averaging over 4.5 yards per carry and he also had 11 touchdowns. Martin also had 49 catches that season for another 472 yards and that put him in position to be a major contributor in Tampa. The next season was a disaster, as Martin was injured and played in only six games, rushing for 456 yards and finishing with 12 catches on the season while averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
