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Name: RB Doug Martin
School: Boise State
Size: 5'9, 223 lbs
Expected Round: 1-2
Strengths: Shifty receiver in the open field. Able kick returner. Great lateral movement. Solid one cut runner. Great vision for the open field. Great burst. Tough to bring down due to low center of gravity. Great balance. Strong outside runner. Deceiving speed.
Weaknesses: Might not have the size to push the pile in short yardage situations. Stronger outside runner than inside. Inexperienced, albeit willing, blocker. Able to run away from college players, will be caught from behind by NFL players.
What is their role? Lead running back on rushing downs.
Will it change from year 1 to year 2? Unless Martin develops as a blocker, he will continue to be a rushing down-only back. Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead, and Shane Vereen are all still young enough to develop alongside Martin.
How many downs can he play? Two downs, maybe three if he's a receiving back.
Which current player will he beat out? One of the fullbacks.
What’s his ST value? Moonlighted as a kick returner, but would be limited.
Does he have positional versatility? Running back only.
Why the Patriots? Martin is one of the best pure running backs in the draft. He has fantastic size, speed, and explosion. He can run and he can catch. He needs to improve his blocking, but he could eventually be the full package.
Why not the Patriots? He'd be an expensive draft pick. Is back-to-back running backs in the 2nd round worth it for the Patriots? It's one thing if he's the best player on the board- and if so, I'd expect the Patriots to trade away- but he doesn't fit the exact need the Patriots need of a depth running back.
Verdict: No. Martin is a great player and will find success elsewhere, but his value above Vereen and Ridley is too limited warrant a draft pick.