Running backs may not be as highly valued in the NFL as they once were, but the difference between having a solid tailback and just another guy is still significant. Just ask the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions if they would like to swap ball-carriers. A quality rusher is like another security blanket for the offense. That's why it's no surprise that Doug Martin is already drawing interest from several teams.
I know what you're thinking: duh, a guy who rushed for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns while catching 33 passes for 271 yards and another score is obviously going to be sought after. He did just average 4.9 yards per carry, after all. But it appears as if a potential bidding war could break out for the 2012 first-rounder in free agency, something we haven't seen at the position for a while.
It was reported yesterday that Martin has "at least six teams" checking in on his status as the league's legal tampering period is underway. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are "intent" on re-signing the versatile back.
The Bucs could have simplified this process by slapping Martin with either the franchise or transition tag, which would have called for a 2016 salary of $11.789 million and $9.674 million, respectively. In both instances, Tampa Bay would have been granted more time to work out a long-term deal and received compensation should Martin have signed elsewhere if he had been hit with the transition tag. Now, some are wondering if Martin could command a deal similar to the one that DeMarco Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles (five years, $45 million, $21 million guaranteed) last offseason. Such a deal would average around $8 million per season, making Martin one of the five-highest paid rushers in the league.
However, Martin is far from a sure thing. Though he finished second behind only Adrian Peterson last year in rushing, the 27-year-old has a lengthy injury history. Martin missed 15 games during the 2013-14 seasons while failing to top 500 yards and 4.0 YPC in each year. Interested parties will have to decide which version of Martin is the real deal.
But re-signing Martin makes a ton of sense for Tampa Bay. Quarterback Jameis Winston had his ups and downs during his rookie season, but showed enough to instill faith and optimism. Martin, coupled with backup Charles Sims, can form a dynamic running game for the young QB to lean on as he continues to develop.
Free agency will officially open tomorrow at which point things are bound to get very interesting.
