LeGarrette Blount starts season as Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-team running back

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced their first depth chart of the 2012 season on Monday. The Buccaneers moved back into the first round of the NFL Draft in April in order to select RB Doug Martin. While Martin is expected to play a large role in the Tampa offense this season, third-year RB LeGarrette Blount finds himself as the team’s starting running back on the first depth chart.

I would not read much into this move. Blount has more experience carrying the ball in the NFL and this is just the first depth chart of the season. Thepigskinreport.com crew attended Buccaneers practice last week and Doug Martin was taking reps with the first team offense and looked impressive.

Martin is widely regarded as more of an all-around back than Blount is. Rookie head coach Greg Schiano has compared Martin to former Rutgers RB Ray Rice. I believe this ranking is simply a mere formality as the Buccaneers head into their first pre-season game.

I still remain high on Martin’s fantasy value and should be seriously considered in dynasty leagues moving forward. I also believe that Martin will be in the running for NFL offensive rookie of the year honors by the end of the regular season. He will be running behind a very solid offensive line and Greg Schiano is focusing on creating a strong rushing attack this year.