With a few weeks left until the NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have some questions to answer: Do they need a running back in the draft?
Should Tampa Draft A Running Back?
Although the Bucs did really well in free agency, there are some glaring holes to fill. Obviously they need a stronger offensive line, but they also need a good running game. They already have a young talent in Ronald Jones II who could have a breakout season. But, if things don’t pan out with Jones, they need a backup option.
The Bucs should draft a running back, but that shouldn’t be their first pick. The Bucs have a total of seven picks in the 2020 draft and each one is extremely important. Realistically, they shouldn’t be thinking about a running back until the fourth round, their fifth pick.
Who Should They Draft?
Luckily for the Bucs, they have a ton of options. The three players they should be looking at are Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin, Clyde Edwards-Helaire from LSU and A.J. Dillon of Boston College. Each player brings a wide array of tools that would fit the Bucs’ high powered offense.
Jonathan Taylor
Taylor stands in at 5’10”, 226lbs. His biggest assets are his speed and his ability to read a defense. His frame and size allow him to create holes in the defense and give him the extra yardage.
Although he’s a great runner, his passing game needs work. During his time with Wisconsin, Taylor dropped eight passes out of the fifty thrown to him. All of which were catchable. He also needs work on his pass protection, due to his size.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire is slightly shorter than Taylor, coming in at 5’7″, 207lbs. He is a strong runner that can make holes with each cut. His vision is also very good and can find most open holes created for him.
Like Taylor, his pass protection isn’t up to par quite yet. His size gives him problems when attempting to protect the quarterback. Other than that, his talent is undeniable. Edwards-Helaire is the type of players that defenses have nightmares over. Once he comes into his own, he’s going to be a problem.
A.J. Dillon
Dillon is the biggest of the three running backs named. At 6’0″, 247lbs, he is a giant for the position. Dillon’s size allows him to gain extra yards by breaking tackles and making the defense ricochet off of him.
Although he has the size, he doesn’t have the speed. He’s not athletic or fast enough to cut and bounce outside, making him an easy target. Also, his pass game isn’t there either.
Why Should They Draft A Running Back?
Since the Bucs lost Peyton Barber in free agency, their only option is Ronald Jones II. If they draft another running back, it gives them another option. What it could also do is give Jones someone to bounce off of, so they can both learn together.
With Brady as quarterback, any young running back can thrive under him. Just like any wide receiver could. By having more than one stud running back, you give Brady more choices on what to do with the next play.
Overall, drafting a running back is not the worst idea and it could help the team tremendously. With Brady’s talent and Bruce Arians’ offense, although tough, any player could make it. Having a secondary running back only gives the Bucs more assets and that’s never a bad thing.
