Week 2 at Denver Broncos
The Broncos were top-10 last season in aFPA to RBs. Denver was also top-10 in PPR points allowed to the RB position in Week 1. The Raiders have an implied team total under 20 points, which is very low by Vegas standards. Doug Martin only received six touches in Week 1. His role is not one you can count on behind starter Marshawn Lynch. Martin should not be owned in most leagues.
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Welcome back to the Jon Gruden era, where the Raiders will start with a bottom-half implied team total in Vegas for Week 1. Doug Martin will play backup RB to Marshawn Lynch against a stingy defense that added Ndamukong Suh to go with Aaron Donald up front. Add the likely negative game script to having no idea how much Gruden wants to play Martin (who was terrible the past two seasons), and he should be nowhere near starting lineups.
Fantasy Upside
“Doug has really jumped out in camp with his quickness, his ability to pick up the offense and what we’ve given him,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said in May. New head coach Jon Gruden has also praised Martin, who is looking to revitalize his career after back-to-back fantasy bust seasons after he finished as the RB4 in 2015.
Fantasy Downside
Doug Martin garnered preseason praise last season also, but that doesn't change the fact he's been terrible in games for two straight seasons. He averaged a pathetic 2.94 yards per carry last season. Plus, Marshawn Lynch isn't going anywhere.
2018 Bottom Line
It's a longshot, but maybe Doug Martin can work his way into the backfield rotation in Oakland. However, that still will not garner enough touches for him to be fantasy relevant unless he can somehow pass Marshawn Lynch on the depth chart. That's unlikely, given Lynch's above-average per carry metrics last season.
Week 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Doug Martin has been struggling to find much production, averaging 2.4 yards per carry in his last five games. He did score a touchdown last week, but it was his first score since Week 6. Peyton Barber has been running better than him, and we could end up seeing Barber get more touches.
Martin gets a tough matchup this week against the Falcons, a team he ran for 33 yards against earlier in the season. Martin has really fallen down the rankings and is nothing more than a desperate RB3 play this week.
Week 14 vs. Detroit Lions
Doug Martin is out of the league's concussion protocol, which means he should be able to return this weekend. But Martin has struggled this season, and youngster Peyton Barber is coming off of a 100-yard game. Martin's role this week is a bit up in the air, and will be something to monitor leading into Sunday.
Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons
Doug Martin's struggles continued last week as he finished with just 44 total yards. He's now totaled 102 yards in his last three games combined, while averaging 2.0 yards per carry.
His poor performances will likely continue this week in a tough matchup against the Falcons. Atlanta has been hot stopping the run lately, allowing an average of 61 rush yards over its last four games.
Martin should be viewed as a low-end RB2, and that's only because he's getting around 20 touches and has a high chance for a score if the Bucs get near the goal line.
Week 11 at Miami Dolphins
After an odd Week 9 where Doug Martin was randomly not used, the Bucs decided to give Martin 20 carries in Week 10, but he only ran for 51 yards. He was also held without a touchdown for the fourth straight game.
He could bounce back this week in a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. Miami is allowing 116 rush yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry (seventh-highest in the league). Plus, Martin continues to get touches, so he should be viewed as an RB2. He may not have a huge game, but 60+ yards and a score would be respectable production.
Week 10 vs. New York Jets
Doug Martin was terrible last week, rushing 8 times for 7 yards. He was oddly taken out of the game after playing just 18 snaps. The Bucs were losing, but it wasn't a complete blowout when Martin exited. There was also no report of an injury, which just added to the confusion.
We expect Martin to continue playing this week, although he gets a fairly difficult matchup against the Jets. Martin is tough to predict because he's looked pretty good since returning from suspension, outside of last week's oddity. He should be viewed as an RB2 this week against the Jets.
Week 9 at New Orleans Saints
Doug Martin ran 18 times for 71 yards last week and caught 1 pass for 4 yards. He was held without a score for the second week in a row, but he continues to be the obvious primary running back in Tampa Bay's offense.
This week he gets a solid matchup against the Saints, a defense that's allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushing games (with a score) in the past two weeks. We don't expect a wild performance from Martin, but he should be able to find running lanes and deliver a low-end RB1 effort.
Week 8 vs. Carolina Panthers
As expected, Doug Martin struggled last week in a tough matchup. He ran the ball 20 times, but only finished with 49 yards. He did add 31 yards on 2 catches, though. While he didn't play well, the fact he saw a season-high 20 carries is promising for fantasy owners. It means the Bucs feel he's ready to take over as the lead back.
Unfortunately, he's likely to struggle this week in a tough matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has only allowed one 100-yard game this season, and just three scores in seven games. Carolina is also allowing the sixth-fewest yards per carry in the league.
We still like Martin has a low-end RB1, but there's a good chance his numbers aren't great this week.
