The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the middle of a redesign on the offensive side of the ball. The retirement of quarterback Tom Brady. The firing of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, the hiring of offensive coordinator Dave Canales. The signing of quarterback Baker Mayfield. And finally the releasing of running back Leonard Fournette.
The team has addressed filing the void of Brady and Leftwich’s departures, but what about the running back position? Who will fill the void left by Fournette’s departure?
The team did sign veteran running back Chase Edmonds, but that moves seems to be more for depth and reps. So again the question is, who will fill the Fournette void?
Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht hasn’t ruled out drafting a running back in this year’s draft. He did however express his confidence in second-year back and Angry Runner Rachaad White.
“I think it’s a good running back draft; I think that has a little to do with it. Just more and more teams — I don’t want to speak on behalf of us — but there’s just more and more teams now that don’t believe in paying running backs. So we really like our group, really like our group. We think Rachaad [White] is going to be a stud. We really like Ke’Shawn [Vaughn]. We’ve always liked Ke’Shawn. I know he’s been with us for three years, but he really hasn’t gotten opportunities. When he has, he’s done some good things. And we got Chase [Edmonds signed in free agency]. I’m not saying we’re done there, but we like the room that we got now.”
If the Buccaneers do intend to start the season with White, Edmonds and Ke’Shawn Vaughn Licht has confidence in all three, especially White. The NFL is now a passing league, but a balanced attack is needed to make a playoff push. The team is confident White can become a “stud” and Edmonds and Vaughn. With that said, it still makes sense for the Bucs to draft a running back, likely in the later rounds. Sorry Bijan Robinson fans, but the Pewter Pirates have more pressing needs in the early rounds.
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