Oakland Raiders: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) and Raiders owner Mark Davis pose for a photograph during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

3. Doug Martin, RB (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

He was the 31st overall pick back in the 2012 NFL Draft. Running back Doug Martin enjoyed a sensational rookie career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He amassed 1,926 total yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns while playing all 16 games. But then things seem to go a little south due to injuries.

He would rebound in a big way in 2015, finishing second in the league in rushing yards (1,402) behind only then-Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson (1,485). However, the last two years proved to be problem-plagued as well and this offseason, the Bucs opted to give him the pink slip after six seasons with the organization.

Now Martin looks to rejuvenate his once-promising career in a backfield that also includes veteran running back Marshawn Lynch. Perhaps this 1-2 punch can do what “Beast Mode” failed to do for the most part last season. The Raiders slipped to 27th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, one year after finishing sixth in the league in that same category.

After a slow start and following a one-year retirement, Lynch was certainly more effective as time wore on this past season. But now Jon Gruden and company have added some insurance in the 29-year-old Martin, who has proven that when he is available can still provide the big play as both a runner and a pass-catching threat.

Next: No. 2

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