***Official Doug Martin Bandwagon*** (1 Viewer)

[Grahamburn]

It looks like there are individual threads dedicated to Richardson, Miller, and Wilson, so there should definitely be one dedicated to Martin.

Is the Ray Rice comparison legitimate, or is it fodder created by Greg Schiano because of his obvious relationship with both players?

The tale of the tape. Combine results:

Ray Rice -

5'8 and 199 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.42

Bench press reps - 23

Vertical jump - 31.5"

Broad jump - 9'11"

20 yard shuttle - 4.2

3 cone drill - 6.65

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Pretty comparable numbers with Martin having the advantage in size and the explosive measurables, while Rice had the slight edge in the speed categories other than the 20 yard split. Martin outclassed Rice in 4 of the 6 main categories. Both players also possess excellent vision, lateral agility, and receiving ability.

Martin has landed in a seemingly good spot with the Buccaneers looking like a team on the rise, and I'd expect him to be a better version of Ahmad Bradshaw in Mike Sullivan's offense. Is it out of the realm of possibility to think Martin could be the best fantasy RB to come out of this draft class?

Doug Martin Highlights

 

[BigTex]

I'm in, I've always loved Martin.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Great selection by the Bucs. RB was a definite need for them.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

He's a great prospect IMO, but I think he's more like Frank Gore or Corey Dillon in terms of overall ability and style. Super safe rookie pick.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I'll hop on, i'm a big fan of Martin's game. I think Trich hurts Martin's perception because in most other classes Martin is the #1 RB.

 

[Grahamburn]

He's a great prospect IMO, but I think he's more like Frank Gore or Corey Dillon in terms of overall ability and style. Super safe rookie pick.

Not bad company to be in. Martin definitely seems like a safe player. There really aren't any flaws in his game.He could put up some really nice numbers behind this line and in Tampa's new offense.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I think Martin is slightly behind Rice (who I had #3 in his class behind Mendy/Stewart and just ahead of McFadden/Johnson) coming out of college. Situations are not too similar though. Both have fairly good O lines. Both have similar running styles and abilities. Blount is not the obstacle that McGahee was, but the Ravens' D was much better than Tampa's which can lead to conservative, ball control offenses. Talent and long term situation, I give Rice the advantage but not by a lot.

In all, definitely on this bandwagon.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I think Martin is slightly behind Rice (who I had #3 in his class behind Mendy/Stewart and just ahead of McFadden/Johnson) coming out of college. Situations are not too similar though. Both have fairly good O lines. Both have similar running styles and abilities. Blount is not the obstacle that McGahee was, but the Ravens' D was much better than Tampa's which can lead to conservative, ball control offenses. Talent and long term situation, I give Rice the advantage but not by a lot.

In all, definitely on this bandwagon.

Rice also has the FF messiah (Cam Cameron) on his side.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Do you guys like him better than the Giant's rookie RB?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

And I would like an aisle seat please.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Do you guys like him better than the Giant's rookie RB?

In 2012, I believe Bradshaw will see at least 50% of the touches assuming he is healthy or unless the rookie blows the doors off him. That could happen but Bradshaw is no slouch. Martin will not be a Superback right away but I see him being the main guy by year 2 for sure.

 

[FF Ninja]

I'm not buying a ticket yet. Go to the 3:25 mark on

.Rookie hysteria alone tends to force me into a contrarian viewpoint, but realistically this guy is probably no Ray Rice. Not even slightly behind him. There is a chance that he is, but these early comparisons are almost always stupid in hindsight. Let's just look at what we know:

He's entering the NFL from the Mountain West Conference.

His main competition is a guy that has successfully played against NFL competition.

His main competition is still very young.

He isn't exactly a burner, so that won't set him apart from Blount.

There is always a learning curve for rookies, even RBs.

Blount is probably more angry and motivated than ever (see his response to the question about the possibility of TB drafting Richardson).

Yeah, yeah, I know... Blount is garbage, he doesn't catch many balls, his shoes smell bad... whatever. So far he has shown me that not only can he can play in the NFL, but that he is one of the best after contact. Given the fact that he'll probably be drafted several rounds after Martin, I think this is a no brainer for 2012. I know everyone here wants to snag the next Ray Rice in their dynasty league, but your chances aren't good. He'd need to be a top talent, but also land in a top situation. So let's just stop that silliness. As someone else mentioned, Cam Cameron helps Ray Rice's fantasy value a lot. Martin has upside, but that's all it is. Upside. For every upside, there is a downside. Lots of player bust. If Martin motivates Blount and starts out mediocre then it might be 3 years or so before he makes an impact for your fantasy team.

P.S. You might notice in that highlight that Blount has several good catches on the run and with his hands, not body. He is not done in the NFL as a starter.

 

[Cookiemonster]

I'm not buying a ticket yet. Go to the 3:25 mark on

So Rice was a top talent in a top situation, with a non-NFL quality starter in front of him that was happy to be replaced, and didn't have to learn the NFL game like other rookies, had blistering speed, and all the pedigree that comes from being a top recruit out of high school to a football factory college, and that's why he was drafted outside the top 5 in almost every draft that year?

 

[Grahamburn]

There really are quite a few similarities between Martin and Rice including the measurables, talent, and situation both in college and the NFL.

 

[Banemorth]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

 

[FF Ninja]

So Rice was a top talent in a top situation, with a non-NFL quality starter in front of him that was happy to be replaced, and didn't have to learn the NFL game like other rookies, had blistering speed, and all the pedigree that comes from being a top recruit out of high school to a football factory college, and that's why he was drafted outside the top 5 in almost every draft that year?

No, he was not in a top situation, but he soon replaced the plodding McGahee and got Cam Cameron as his OC. He also took a year before making an impact. If it wasn't for his receiving numbers his first 3 seasons would've been mediocre.McGahee has historically been a 4.0 ypc guy, so it was natural that the shifty Rice would replace him in the Cam Cameron offense.I'd say Doug Martin's 4.55 fourty is more Blount-esque than Rice-esque. Given Blount's ability to rack up yards after contact, I'd say Martin will have a harder job unseating Blount than Rice did with McGahee. McGahee was about 5.5 years older than Rice, while Blount is only 2 years older than Martin.

 

[Grahamburn]

Blount ran a 4.7 at the combine, and Martin's other measurables were all better than Blount's as well. That being said, I think LB is one hell of a runner. He has made some amazing runs in his short career.

He and Martin should compliment each other well, but the writing is on the wall as to which player will be the "featured back" in this offense. Martin's skills as a receiver and blocker will have him on the field much more often.

 

[cstu]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

 

[doowain]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

Why is that laughable?

 

[FF Ninja]

Doug Martin -5'9 and 223 pounds40 yard dash - 4.55Bench press reps - 28Vertical jump - 36"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.163 cone drill - 6.79Delone Carter -5'9 and 225 pounds40 yard dash - 4.54Bench press reps - 27Vertical jump - 37"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.073 cone drill - 6.92

great find

 

[cstu]

 

[Grahamburn]

Doug Martin -5'9 and 223 pounds40 yard dash - 4.55Bench press reps - 28Vertical jump - 36"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.163 cone drill - 6.79Delone Carter -5'9 and 225 pounds40 yard dash - 4.54Bench press reps - 27Vertical jump - 37"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.073 cone drill - 6.92

I guess you have to look at production in college thenoug Martin - Career Rushing: 617 Att, 3431 Yds, 5.6 Avg, 43 TDCareer Receiving: 67 rec, 715 Yds, 10.7 Avg, 4 TDDelone Carter -Career Rushing: 646 Att, 3104 Yds, 4.8 Avg, 24 TDCareer Receiving: 28 rec, 208 yds, 7.4 Avg, 1 TD

 

[Grahamburn]

Just for fun. Ray Rice:

910 Att, 4926 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 49 TD

37 rec, 334 Yds, 9.0 Avg, 1 TD

 

[Banemorth]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

Why is that laughable?

How is it not?

 

[Kirby]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

Why is that laughable?

How is it not?

x2 You fleeced him. Spillers already proved he can do it in the nfl PLUS a future first rounder! Nice job.

 

[doowain]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

Why is that laughable?

How is it not?

Wait...which side were you on? I thought you were laughing at the offer like it wasn't enough. I take the Spiller side all day.

 

[cstu]

A guy just offered me Spiller and a 2014 First for Doug Martin

Why is that laughable?

How is it not?

x2 You fleeced him. Spillers already proved he can do it in the nfl PLUS a future first rounder! Nice job.

He can do it but the Bills just gave Fred Jackson a two year $9M extension.

 

[Abrantes]

I'm not buying a ticket yet. Go to the 3:25 mark on

I wouldn't use one of the year's most obscene examples of shoddy tackling as a major point in Blount's favor. He was lumbering down the field with zero breakaway speed.

 

[Xue]

For whatever reason, Martin didn't look as good in 2011 compared to 2010. This concerns me.

 

[Faust]

Finding the Fits -- In Doug Martin, Schiano gets a Ray Rice clone

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Over the next several weeks, NFLDraftScout.com will be reviewing some of the more intriguing picks made during the 2012 NFL draft through a series called "Finding the Fits." The goal of the series is to identify one relatively unheralded player per team who would appear to be a particularly good schematic fit and therefore more likely to be a surprise contributor early in his respective pro career.

In selecting Alabama All-American safety Mark Barron at No. 7 overall, Boise State running back Doug Martin at No. 31 and the best weakside linebacker in the 2012 draft in Nebraska's Lavonte David in the second round (No. 58), general manager Mark Dominik and new head coach Greg Schiano began their first draft together as the braintrust of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with as impressive a trio of prospects as any selected this year.

Much of the post-draft attention will be placed upon Barron and rightly so. A physical and instinctive defender with excellent ball skills, Barron could provide the leadership in the deep patrol similar to what Schiano had when coaching Ravens' All-Pro Ed Reed when the two were at the University of Miami.

It could be another NFL superstar playing for the Ravens -- running back Ray Rice -- that Schiano leaned on heavily while at Rutgers, however, that may have served as the inspiration behind the Bucs aggressively trading back up into the first round to nab Martin.

Like the 5-8, 199-pound Rice (as measured at the 2008 Combine), Martin is a bit shorter (5-9, 223 pounds) than scouts would prefer but has an even thicker, more muscled build than Rice. With quarterback Kellen Moore earning the lion's share of media attention throughout their respective careers together at Boise State, Martin entered his senior campaign largely unknown outside of the west coast. This, despite the fact that he rushed for 1,260 yards and a dozen rushing touchdowns in 2010 and also caught 338 yards and two touchdowns worth of passes (on 28 catches) as well. Frankly, Martin didn't start earning the praise that comes with being a highly regarded pro prospect until his senior season. He ran for a career-high 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011 despite missing every snap against TCU (which, not coincidentally was Boise's only loss of the season). He only rushed six times versus UNLV before suffering the leg injury that kept him out a week later against the Horned Frogs.

Martin's talents were obvious. He is a tough interior runner who is able to run through contact because of his determined, powerful style. He has excellent lateral agility and balance, a strong stiff-arm and has the speed to run away from defenders in the open field. He made strides as a pass protector over his final season, including handling the jump in physicality and intensity in this role while at the Senior Bowl. Martin is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield and an accomplished kick returner.

Despite his obvious talents, many were surprised when Martin was selected in the draft's opening frame. Though I had Martin graded as a first-round prospect (ranked as No. 31 overall, incidentally), I failed to include him in my final first-round projection largely because, as we've all seen, the NFL has transitioned to a running back by committee approach as teams are now focusing much more on the passing game.

As it turns out, the fact that the new CBA gives teams the option of adding a fifth year to the rookie contracts of players selected in the first round (as opposed to four-year deals for all other rookies), drafting running backs in the first round now may make more fiscal sense than ever before. Teams are understandably hesitant to sign running backs to the big second contracts, but today's rookie deals offer a much more palatable salary.

Martin deserved first round consideration. Make no mistake, so too did Trent Richardson (Cleveland Browns) and David Wilson (New York Giants), the other two running backs drafted in the first round this year. But don't lose sight of the role that the salary cap implications of the five-year rather than four-year deals had in pushing these backs up the board.

 

[werdnoynek]

Doug Martin -5'9 and 223 pounds40 yard dash - 4.55Bench press reps - 28Vertical jump - 36"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.163 cone drill - 6.79Delone Carter -5'9 and 225 pounds40 yard dash - 4.54Bench press reps - 27Vertical jump - 37"Broad jump - 10'20 yard shuttle - 4.073 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

 

[Arizona Ron]

HYPE TRAIN ACTIVATED

 

[yellowdog]

I'm on.

 

[gianmarco]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

So this argument works when it goes with guys you like such as Martin. But when a player goes 5th overall like Blackmon, then it doesn't?

 

[werdnoynek]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

So this argument works when it goes with guys you like such as Martin. But when a player goes 5th overall like Blackmon, then it doesn't?

blackmon looks slow AND was timed slow... what is your point? i think blackmon at #5 was a reach, but the jags seem to do that quite often. given his stellar college career i can't say i blame them or anyone else taking him as the first WR... but i just don't see his game translating all that well into the NFL and feel that a few other guys in this WR class will have better careers. ETA: i think the jags knew they were getting a slow possession WR when they drafted him and are ok with that. really, that was not the point i was trying to make with martin or wright - who weren't timed well but look alot faster than they were timed.

back to martin...

 

[gianmarco]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

So this argument works when it goes with guys you like such as Martin. But when a player goes 5th overall like Blackmon, then it doesn't?

blackmon looks slow AND was timed slow... what is your point? i think blackmon at #5 was a reach, but the jags seem to do that quite often. given his stellar college career i can't say i blame them or anyone else taking him as the first WR... but i just don't see his game translating all that well into the NFL and feel that a few other guys in this WR class will have better careers. ETA: i think the jags knew they were getting a slow possession WR when they drafted him and are ok with that. really, that was not the point i was trying to make with martin or wright - who weren't timed well but look alot faster than they were timed.

back to martin...

I'm sorry, I must have missed where Blackmon timed slow. You have a link for that? Unless his 4.41 and 4.46 are considered slow, where did he time slow?

 

[Touchdown There]

I'm sorry, I must have missed where Blackmon timed slow. You have a link for that? Unless his 4.41 and 4.46 are considered slow, where did he time slow?

Blackmon did not run at the combine, so the times you have there are not comparable to actual combine 40 times.

 

[werdnoynek]

I'm sorry, I must have missed where Blackmon timed slow. You have a link for that? Unless his 4.41 and 4.46 are considered slow, where did he time slow?

Blackmon did not run at the combine, so the times you have there are not comparable to actual combine 40 times.

i watched it on ESPN and timed him at a 4.51 ... interesting. CORRECTION: blackmon was timed 4.41 and 4.46 at his pro day and looks slow when he actually plays football. this thread is about Martin, who actually shows explosiveness on the football field. let's talk about him.

 

[werdnoynek]

example of said explosiveness - kickoff of the Bowl game, his last game as a bronco. a kick return and Martin took it 100 yards for a TD. then there's a nice show of explosive power @ 3:15 as well as the following run.

with martin, every carry he had in the game he's running through the first "tackle" or making the guy miss completely. love seeing that... he can play 3 downs in the NFL with his pass catching and protection skils. i dont think there's any way blount keeps this kid off the field this season, everything blount can do martin can do better and more. blount was never a 3 down guy and struggled with pass protection. he has alot of work to do if he wants to keep a role in the offense imo... i think best case senario for blount would be a brandon jacobs role with the worst case being losing his spot on the depth chart and quite possibly being cut outright.

 

[Xue]

At 3:15 I see Martin getting ankle-tackled. The very next run he doesn't see the defender to his left and gets hit in the ankle and knocked off-balance.2:49 takes too many steps to stop then cut

3:40 gets tripped up at his ankle again and shows no burst through the hole

4:50 another ankle tackle

 

[drater]

Just for fun. Ray Rice:910 Att, 4926 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 49 TD37 rec, 334 Yds, 9.0 Avg, 1 TD

So you're saying don't look for a lot of Martin receptions in that offense?Long time Boise fan here, Martin is legit but talent needs to meet opportunity for real fantasy impact, not happy they added Smith into the mix too...

 

[FF Ninja]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

I doubt that was a serious comparison, but more likely just a crack at the original post which does make a comparison of measurables of Rice and Martin.As for Martin running circles around Carter, I think you see what you want to see. The contrast between your later post and Xue's post shows this much. Props to Xue for taking the blinders off. I'm not saying Martin will bust, but the SP is prone to over excitement on rookies. Speaking of which, who is still on the Jahvid Best hype train?

 

[werdnoynek]

@ 3:15 run - broncos are at the ASU 30... he takes it from the 30 to the 22 where he makes first contact with (#4) who he runs through/by, then (#2) "wraps him up" at the 20 and a couple yards more (#31) joins in on the grabfest but martin continues to go 10 more yards with both of them on him. he's finally pulled down by his jersey at the 10. you can see it snap back into place when he gets up.@2:49 i dont see him on the field

@3:40 (#21) jumps on his heel, it's impossible to continue running when a 230lb saftey is literally on your heel.

@4:50 he isn't playing defense.

 

[werdnoynek]

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

I doubt that was a serious comparison, but more likely just a crack at the original post which does make a comparison of measurables of Rice and Martin.As for Martin running circles around Carter, I think you see what you want to see. The contrast between your later post and Xue's post shows this much. Props to Xue for taking the blinders off. I'm not saying Martin will bust, but the SP is prone to over excitement on rookies. Speaking of which, who is still on the Jahvid Best hype train?

if taking blinders off includes seeing offensive players playing defense then i'll leave mine on.

 

[Grahamburn]

Just for fun. Ray Rice:910 Att, 4926 Yds, 5.4 Avg, 49 TD37 rec, 334 Yds, 9.0 Avg, 1 TD

So you're saying don't look for a lot of Martin receptions in that offense?Long time Boise fan here, Martin is legit but talent needs to meet opportunity for real fantasy impact, not happy they added Smith into the mix too...

Not at all. Just showing that Martin's ypc and ypr were better than Rice's in college. He also just about matched Rice's TD production on almost 300 fewer touches.I think Martin will catch quite a few passes in Tampa. Freeman dumps it down to the RB quite a bit. No doubt Martin will be the 3rd down back at worst, and he'll definitely see his fair share of early down touches as well.Smith will be a change of pace player and special teams guy. He has speed, but not too much else.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

What's his value moving forward?

I'm trying to move him/blount for a WR and am having a tough time gauging it.

 

[faulkfan]

I'm not sure what part of being big, able to get open, and good hands don't translate for an NFL WR. I'm not saying he will be Megatron, but his history and situation suggest he has as much of a chance or better to outproduce Martin...if that is the debate.

Doug Martin -

5'9 and 223 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.55

Bench press reps - 28

Vertical jump - 36"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.16

3 cone drill - 6.79

Delone Carter -

5'9 and 225 pounds

40 yard dash - 4.54

Bench press reps - 27

Vertical jump - 37"

Broad jump - 10'

20 yard shuttle - 4.07

3 cone drill - 6.92

we can compare measurables of guys all day... when it comes down to it though, on game day, martin could run circles around carter. martin plays faster than carter ever did with pads on... same goes with kendall wright vs this years WR class. there's a difference between guys who can run fast on a track and guys who can do it with pads on during game time. NFL teams know it and show it with the draft positions of guys like wright or martin... we just seem to ignore it.

So this argument works when it goes with guys you like such as Martin. But when a player goes 5th overall like Blackmon, then it doesn't?

blackmon looks slow AND was timed slow... what is your point? i think blackmon at #5 was a reach, but the jags seem to do that quite often. given his stellar college career i can't say i blame them or anyone else taking him as the first WR... but i just don't see his game translating all that well into the NFL and feel that a few other guys in this WR class will have better careers. ETA: i think the jags knew they were getting a slow possession WR when they drafted him and are ok with that. really, that was not the point i was trying to make with martin or wright - who weren't timed well but look alot faster than they were timed.

back to martin...

 

[ImTheScientist]

I started the UN-official waggon a few months ago. Guess I should have thought to make it official.

 

[cstu]

I met him last week and the guy he reminded me of was Michael Turner. The guy looks like a bowling ball. Turner was slightly faster but with Martin's receiving skills he's going to be a PPR beast.

 

[cstu]

Is it out of the realm of possibility to think Martin could be the best fantasy RB to come out of this draft class?

If Richardson stays healthy I don't see how he's not the best, he's simply that physically talented. However, if Martin gets the ball 300 times he's going to put up 1200/10. If they use him in the passing game like he can be he could add another 30/300. That's getting close to MJD numbers, but I don't think it's that unreasonable.