Senior Watch: Doug Martin, Boise St.

Boise St. running back Doug Martin is really starting to turn heads at the senior bowl, while he has been ranked a bit lower in most rankings he might be making people reevaluate where they have placed him on their big board.  Primarily Doug Martin has been considered in the top 5-6 running backs in the draft but I can see his value climbing steadily and he could easily find himself in the top 2-3 and a first round pick.

What to Like

– Martin is really good… I mean really good.  Just from the onset, he shows a very large lower body anchored by huge thighs.  This size in the lower body helps Martin run with great balance and power.  Martin does a great job running low and having such power churning through his legs allows him to get passed first contact pretty regularly.

– Vision is the key for Martin’s success.  When running between the tackles he does a good job of identifying gaps and hitting them.  It’s very rare that he’ll be tackled immediately and Martin is able to use a very explosive burst to quickly hit top speed and take advantage of whatever the defense is giving him.  He is an explosive player in the college level who should be able to use his vision and ability to be very effective in the next level.

– Martin is a very willing blocker.  He does lack great technique and will need some coaching in the matter, but the fact that he is willing to sit back in protection says a lot about his ability.

– Considered a workhorse in the gym, Martin is well known for his great work ethic and dedication to the system.  Martin transitioned to linebacker early in his career just to get playing time.

– A balanced back, Martin has great control and recognition in situations that call for him to differentiate whether to utilize his shifty finesse ability or lower his shoulder and try and truck through.

What Not to Like

Bueller?….

– On a serious note, there are a few things to keep an eye on moving forward.  Martin is a capable ball catcher, some have questioned his ability to catch passes outside of the backfield, but this is something that’s coachable.  He has had a productive career when asked to catch the ball, so I don’t really consider this a big problem

– Martin doesn’t really have great top end speed.  His 40 time is unofficially around 4.5 which isn’t bad, but isn’t great either.  His ability to accelerate I think is a good thing to notice but he wont be breaking tons of Tony Dorsett style runs.  He will be a balanced runner who should be able to supply a good average but I don’t see him outrunning some of the faster defenders in the game consistently.

– Martin needs to improve his blocking technique.  Period.  This is a pass happy league in the NFL and while I don’t foresee it being like this forever, a capable running back who is an asset in the passing game and protection schemes is vital towards the success of the offense.  He’ll need to be coached here if he hopes to be an every down consideration.

Summary

Martin is a very solid all around back.  This year alone he’s displayed his ability to use power through low center of gravity and be a shifty runner.  I consider him very valuable for his skill set.  He is of good character and a hard worker, anyone who thinks this doesn’t translate to the football field should see Tim Tebow.  I love his potential at the next level as an every down back. Maybe he won’t consistently break long homeruns but he will break them occasionally and he’s always been able to run for a good average even against some of the tougher opponents Boise St. has faced.   Should be a stud in the next level-keep your eye out.

Professional Comparisons

Maurice Jones-Drew

Ray Rice

Draft Projection:

Stock Rising!

It’s tough to say where he will end up but I see him going in the second to third rounds before the senior bowl.  I don’t want to get too crazy but I could see Denver or Bengals at least looking at him in the first round, especially if they feel more comfortable with his skill set over someone like Lamar Miller.