The MVP of the fantasy football season has to be Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin. He might even get a few votes for the NFL MVP after the way he played on Sunday.
The rookie out of Boise State has put together a fantastic season in 2012 so far, including an exclamation point this past weekend as he rushed for a career-high 251 against the Oakland Raiders.
Perhaps it was the fact that Martin was playing in front of his family and friends in his hometown of Oakland, but either way he has been a fantasy revelation this year.
"Everybody was there. It was awesome," Martin said to the Associated Press. "It's surreal right now. I'm just doing my job out there. I'm honored."
Martin's game against the Raiders was easily the best of his career. He carried the ball 25 times for 251 yards and four touchdowns, including three scores of over 40 yards (45,67,70). He also added four catches for 21 yards.
"That was a great, great performance," coach Greg Schiano said. "After having a big outing in Minnesota on national TV and winning some awards you wonder how the young guys is going to handle the success. This test he stepped up and met the challenge for sure."
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, "Martin became the first back since at least 1940 to score on three TD runs of at least 45 yards in one game."
Making his day even more impressive, Martin did most of the damage on only six possessions, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries.
As the 31st overall pick, Martin was the second running back off the board, preceeded only by Trent Richardson and followed by David Wilson, who was taken one pick later by the New York Giants. On the season Martin has rushed for 794 yards and seven touchdowns.
Martin has proven to be at threat both on the ground and in the passing game, which is one reason why Tampa Bay took him with their first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. In fantasy leagues with points-per-reception, Martin has become even more valuable, adding 20 balls for 245 yards and a touchdown.
Martin has been fairly consistent for fantasy owners, scoring touchdowns in three straight games and rushing for over 300 in his past two.
"He's turned into a heck of a player here these last two weeks," Bucs safety Ronde Barber said. "He's really jumped onto the scene, just the way he's handled the pressure that he's had to be the main guy here in our offense these past couple of weeks. It's impressive, man."
According to ESPN.com, "Martin became the second player in NFL history with at least 250 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns in a game."
Rookie running back can take time to develop into star players, but Martin has skipped over the developmental phase. According to Grantland.com, Martin has rushed for the fifth most yards during the first half of his rookie season. He is behind " Adrian Peterson (1,036 rushing yards), Eric Dickerson (995), George Rogers (859), and Billy Sims (859)."
Martin is considered short and small by NFL standards, but Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano is used to having a running back of that size. While at Rutgers, Schiano has running back Ray Rice, who is now a star with the Baltimore Ravens and is of similar size to Martin.
More impressive stats from Grantland.com: "According to ESPN Stats & Information, 197 of Martin's 251 rushing yards came before contact, the highest total since James Harrison's 235-yard total against the Chiefs several years ago."
Since he is a rookie, Martin is nothing short of a fantasy surprise. In most leagues he was an average 50th-60th player picked, but has put up top-five statistics this season.
With his game against Oakland, Martin has firmly planted himself among the likes of quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin in the race for the Offensive rookie of the Year.
Martin holds great trade value in all leagues, but will be an essential part to any championship squad moving forward this year.
