Doug Martin, the NFL’s second-leading rusher in 2015, is going to hit the free agent market according to TampaBay.com, and he’s expecting a major payday.
Martin, 27, rushed for 1,485 yards, and was second to Adrian Peterson not only in rushing yards, but rushing attempts. It is speculated that Martin will seek a contract in line with five-year, $40 million contract DeMarco Murray signed with the Eagles one year after leading the league in rushing. Martin is one year younger than Murray, with a cleaner injury history and fewer carries in his career.
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Running backs have become very replaceable in today’s NFL, however, as Murray learned late in his ineffective 2015 season. Forward-thinking clubs will have their eyes on another running back, Lamar Miller, who is much more attractive an option.
Miller is three years younger than Martin, has logged 230 fewer carries, and scored just one fewer touchdown. Miller was a fourth-round pick in the 2012 Draft, the same one in which Martin went 31st overall, and he has been more consistent over his four NFL seasons.
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Martin exploded onto the scene as a rookie with 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns, and then combined for 950 yards and three scores over the next two seasons in which he missed 15 games. Miller has missed just one game in the last three seasons, scored eight rushing touchdowns in back-to-back campaigns, averaged more yards per carry over the last two years, and averaged 2.3 receptions per game since 2013.
Miller is a younger, more efficient, and more versatile option than Martin, who outperformed him because he was given more opportunity in a better offense. Miller will cost less than Martin in 2016, but offer far more bang for the buck.
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