The Buccaneers made their second somewhat surprising selection of the draft by trading up and selecting Boise State running back Doug Martin late in the first round.

The Buccaneers gave up their second-round pick to the Denver Broncos and swapped fourth-rounders to move up to the first round (No. 31) to select the Boise State star.

Martin was happy to be selected by the Buccaneers and especially happy to be a first round selection.

“I had a feeling the Bucs had an eye on me a little bit,” Martin said. “But it was getting a little nerve-wracking at the end of the first round. I felt the first round was a possibility for me. But it was kind of a gray area. I wasn’t too surprised – but I was very grateful.”


Head coach Greg Schiano was all smiles when talking about what Martin brings to Tampa.

“I think the totality of what he can do (is what attracted him to the us),” Martin said. “You’re talking about a guy who can run the football for sure, has patience as he runs. He’s a mature runner. He can block, can receive and then you see the stuff he does on special teams.

“I think it was the bowl game, he takes the opening kickoff and phhht … right to the house. So you’re talking about a guy that does it all for his football team and a team that’s won. When they lose it’s a rarity. They’re 60-something and five in coach Peterson’s tenure. This is a guy that’s won consistently.”

Martin isn’t concerned with sharing a backfield, and thinks he and LeGarrette Blount will work well together.

“I feel like I will fit in very well,” Martin said. “I am a very good team player and never had issues with teammates so I think I will ft in pretty good. I think it will be an awesome partnership back there.

“My game is very versatile. I can pass protect and catch balls out of the backfield. I am very versatile as a player and I can play on special teams.”

Martin started 25 games for the Broncos and rushed for 3,341 yards on 617 carries scoring 43 touchdowns. The Stockton, California native was also solid receiver out of the backfield during his time at Boise State, with 67 receptions for 715 yards and four scores. A triple threat in college, Martin averaged 28.4 yards on 26 kickoff returns and one touchdown.

General manager Mark Dominik was also pleased to be able to obtain Martin – for several reasons.

“We’re excited upstairs. There was a guy that we targeted that we had a lot of interest in. There were a couple of reasons we made that trade for Doug Martin. Number one is who he is. He’ a great young man and a team leader at Boise State, running a fantastic football program. He was voted team captain and is a productive football player, a guy that can play all three downs for us and work with LeGarrette Blount.

“Number two, we decided to move up to the second round into the first round. To do that, not only do you get a four-year deal on a contract, but also you end up with a five-year deal on a first-round pick. That’s important to me because that’s extra value that you get that sometimes isn’t seen.”

Idaho is a long way from Tampa and understandably Martin isn’t too familiar with the organization but is eager to learn.

“I don’t know too much about the Bucs but I will love to get to know the history when I go out there. And then hopefully win a lot of games.”