The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't get Trent Richardson on Thursday, but they still came out of the evening with a new running back.
Doug Martin now is a Buc, selected with the 31st pick of the first round. The Boise State star gives new Bucs coach Greg Schiano a thick, powerful three-down back who has a burst that surprised NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.
Schiano enters an NFL that's pass-crazy, but he has said he wants to build the Bucs' offense around the run. This pick certainly is in line with that philosophy.
The Bucs shipped their No. 36 and No. 101 picks to the Patriots to move into position to grab Martin. Tampa Bay also acquired New England's 126th pick.
This obviously isn't good news for LeGarrette Blount, whose grasp on the starting running back job is tenuous at best.
Blount still can have value for the Bucs (given he holds onto the football), but Martin was widely viewed as the second-best running back on the board. He was a good score for the Bucs late in the business day at Radio City.
