The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may look at a Doug Martin trade this offseason along with Vincent Jackson and some teams that could be interested include the Buffalo Bills, NY Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
Martin was shopped at the trading deadline by the Buccaneers according to ESPN.com and while the team did not pull off a deal, they could look at making one this offseason. Pro Football Talk also reported that Vincent Jackson was mentioned in trade talk, but he too was not dealt and is also an option to move this offseason. The Bucs have been terrible this year and with Charles Sims and Mike Evans coming in as rookies for Lovie Smith, he may want to clear out some cap space so his own drafted players can step up.
Martin was a top draft pick in the first round a few years ago at number 31 for the Bucs, but after a strong rookie season he has not been able to keep things going and now he could be traded. Martin has been banged up this season and it comes after he played in just six games last year and while he has been injured and not productive, there are a number of teams that could have potential interest in him. Martin has the potential to be an every down back and he showed as a rookie that he could be a dual threat out of the backfield as a receiver.
Daily News reporter Mike Lupica spoke about the possibility of Martin gettign moved to the Giants, as he was one pick away from the team when the drafted David Wilson. This season Martin has just 166 yards in five games and he has been averaging less than three yards per carry. Martin has just nine catches and he has not been able to stay healthy on a consistent basis. Last season Bobby Rainey played well in his place and he has done that again this year and now Charles Sims could cut into things as well even if Martin comes back.
Martin was a fantasy football stud and a rookie stud in 2012 after being drafted in the first round, as he played in all 16 games and had over 1800 total yards that season for the Bucs. Martin was highly regarded coming out of Boise State and many teams wanted him, including the Giants, who had the pick past the Bucs at the end of the first round. Martin is a speedy back, but his injuries have kept him from doing much over the past two seasons.
As a rookie Martin rushed for 1454 yards and 11 touchdowns and he had over 300 carries that season and played in all 16 games. Martin looked like a dominant RB even at his size and he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and added nearly 50 catches for 472 yards that year. Last season he was banged up and ended up playing in just six games, rushing for 456 yards and one touchdown while averaging 3.6 yards per carry. Martin was not as effective out of the backfield, going for 12 catches for 66 yards.
