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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Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens. 3. player. 26. . AFC. North

In a similar situation as the Colts, the Baltimore Ravens‘ offense has become to one-dimensional for its own good. Baltimore hasn’t found its replacement at running back after the Ray Rice scandal and quarterback Joe Flacco needs a great tailback to bring out the best in his fantastic deep ball, play-action passing game.

Baltimore finished with the seven-worst rushing total in 2015 with only 1,478 rushing yards. By bringing in a guy that can get that on the ground in just 16 games by himself in Martin, the Ravens’ offensive attack could once again be menacing for head coach John Harbaugh as Baltimore fights for relevancy in the AFC elite.

Martin has a skill set eerily similar to that of Rice in his prime: small, quick, strong, and great in the receiving game. With about three or so more years of prime Martin as a Pro Bowl-caliber tailback, he could serve as the spark plug for a Ravens offense that could lead them on another deep run in the AFC playoffs under Flacco and Harbaugh.

While general manager Ozzie Newsome needs to completely overhaul the Ravens’ defense, bringing in a great running back like Martin would help jump-start the Ravens into being a strong, offensive first team in 2016 while the defense is being rebuilt.

Losing Rice was tough for the organization, but replacing him with a player that could easily fit his mold as a running back in Tampa Bay’s Martin certainly makes sense from a schematic point of view. Flacco would certainly appreciate having a tailback he can rely on, someone like Martin in 2016.

Next: 2. New England Patriots

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