2016 NFL Free Agency: 5 teams who should sign Doug Martin

By John Buhler | Feb 25, 2016

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) takes a handoff from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Bears won 26-12. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain (55) chases Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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Although the Dallas Cowboys finished with the ninth most rushing yards in 2015 with 1,888, their 2015 season was a complete disaster, going 4-12 and finishing with the worst record in the NFC and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Cowboys lost control of their seasons when starting quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone in Week 2 versus the arch-rival Philadelphia Eagles. While the team was able to figure out how to move the football without former All-Pro tailback DeMarco Murray, his replacement in Joseph Randle became another off-the-field problem child from Oklahoma State. Dallas had to cut ties with the promising young tailback.

With Dallas likely going to be back in contention in 2016 with a healthy Romo, it would make sense for owner Jerry Jones to look for an adequate running back to bring back balance to the Cowboys’ offense. Going after two-time Pro Bowler Doug Martin would make a great deal of sense for several reasons.

He still has several years of prime football left in the tank. Martin can make plays out of the backfield on checkdowns and screens to further help Romo in the passing game. When healthy, Martin will rush for over 1,400 yards annually. That all sounds very promising behind one of the NFL’s greatest offensive lines in Dallas.

Jones has shown over the years that he will break the bank to sign highly talented skill position players. By bringing in Martin in free agency, Dallas becomes a title contender again in 2016 around its new pair of triplets in Romo, Martin, and wide receiver Dez Bryant. It would be difficult to slow down the Cowboys’ offense in 2016 if Martin were a part of it.

Next: 4. Indianapolis Colts

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