The Pro Football Writers of America have identified Tampa Bay Buccaneers Doug Martin and Lavonte David as two of the NFL's best players in 2015.
RB Doug Martin led the NFL in rushes over 20 yards. Check out his 20+ yard gains in ascending order.
Each year, the PFWA picks All-NFL, All-AFC and All-NFC teams; like the Associated Press All-Pro awards, the PFWA lists are more exclusive than the Pro Bowl, in that they include just 11 players on offense and 11 on defense. Martin was chosen for both the All-NFL and All-NFC squads, while David earned All-NFC honors.
Martin is the first Buccaneer offensive player to earn an all-NFL nod from the PFWA. David has received that honor before, as he was an All-NFL and All-NFC selection in 2013. Martin and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson took the two running back spots (a fullback is not specified) on the All-NFL squad. David and Carolina's Lavonte David were the two outside linebackers on the NFC team, as the NFL honors went to Khalil Mack and Von Miller, a pair of 3-4 edge rushers from the AFC.
FEATURE: DOUG MARTIN'S PRO BOWL SEASON
Martin finished second in the NFL with 1,402 rushing yards and fourth with 1,673 yards from scrimmage in 2015. He averaged 4.87 yards per carry, the highest mark in the league among players with at least 250 carries, and he led the NFL with 13 carries of 20 or more yards. A consistent force throughout the season, Martin posted four 100-yard games and another six outings in which he topped 70 yards. His 235-yard rushing performance against Philadelphia in Week 11 was the single-highest output by an NFL running back in 2015.
David had another excellent all-around season. He racked up 147 tackles – third in the NFL in 2015 – while also recorded three sacks and three interceptions, demonstrating his ability to make plays in the tackle box, in the backfield and in pass coverage. His 13 passes defensed were the most by any linebacker in the NFL in 2015 and he was one of only seven defenders in the NFL, at any position, to have at least three sacks and at least three interceptions (Miller and Davis were also on that list).
There were 27 All-NFC picks on the PFWA team, including five special-teamers. The Buccaneers were one of seven teams with multiple players on that squad. Carolina led the way with seven, and Arizona and Dallas were next with three. The Buccaneers, Vikings, Seahawks and Cardinals had two apiece.
