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Buccaneers’ Five Best First Round Picks of the Millenium

By Alan Schechter

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015 St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Doug Martin

Everyone’s favorite son, will he or will he not be here next year?  Time will tell, but we will celebrate his time to date. Martin came to town as a first round selection in the 2012 draft.  Right from the jump, the “Dougernaut” showed he was worth the choice.  He earned a Pro Bowl berth as a rookie, with 1,454 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.  He also added 49 pass receptions.

Last year, he rebounded from two sub-par seasons to again post 1,400 yards, good for second in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson.  He nearly averaged five yards per carry, and almost 90 yards per game, proving he is worth whatever he is going to be paid in the coming weeks.

Why is he number two?  Because of the two sub-par seasons.  Injuries kept him under 500 yards in both 2013 and 2014.  It isn’t his fault that he got hurt, but even after recovering, he didn’t look like himself.  In debating between him and our number one choice, the lack of consistency drops Martin to the second spot.

If he is not number one, who is?  Turn the page and find out.

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