Following an impressive season where Rachaad White demonstrated his capability as an every-down back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, anticipation is building for the upcoming season. White, who amassed over 1,500 all-purpose yards, fell just short of breaking a significant milestone for the Bucs — becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher since the era of Doug Martin.
With White confirmed to lead the team’s backfield, the spotlight now shifts to the depth chart behind him, where questions loom large. Among the notable names is Sean Tucker, an undrafted free agent whose potential has yet to be fully realized.
Bucs’ general manager Jason Licht voiced his expectations at the NFL Draft Combine, emphasizing the need for Tucker to make a significant leap in his sophomore year. Tucker’s development could be the key to solidifying the Bucs’ backfield, providing the necessary support to White, and enhancing the team’s offensive strategy.
With that in mind, the Bucs could look at adding a running back to pair with White in either free agency or the NFL Draft. Here are some of the names the Bucs could target in the next couple of months.
A.J. Dillon
A.J. Dillon could be the power-running solution the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been searching for, delivering the hard-nosed, in-between-the-tackles running that complements Rachaad White’s versatile play style. Standing at six feet and weighing 247 pounds, Dillon is an imposing figure on the field, making him exceptionally difficult for defenders to bring down.
His ability to power through contact was evident in his performance over the past season with the Green Bay Packers, where he averaged 2.6 yards after contact and eluded 21 tackles, amassing a total of 613 yards with two touchdowns. Furthermore, Dillon’s utility isn’t limited to the ground game; he has also proven himself in the passing game, with 23 receptions for 223 yards.
His multifaceted capabilities could greatly enhance the Bucs’ offensive playbook, ensuring the team remains unpredictable and versatile. This newcomer could certainly impact the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game odds in the upcoming season, presenting a more formidable offense for competitors to contend with.
Zack Moss
Zack Moss presents a contrasting running style to A.J. Dillon, offering the Bucs a dynamic and elusive option in the backfield. Known for his agility and ability to evade defenders, Moss forced 36 missed tackles in the 2023 season. He is particularly dangerous in open space, as evidenced by his 19 explosive runs — defined as gains of over 10 yards — including a standout 56-yard dash.
Finishing the season with an average of 4.3 yards per carry, Moss demonstrated his efficiency on the ground and his reliability, starting in eight games for the Indianapolis Colts. He rushed for a total of 795 yards and scored five touchdowns. Moss also showcased his versatility as a pass-catcher, adding another dimension to the offensive gameplay with 27 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
This multifaceted skill set could allow the Buccaneers to diversify their offensive strategies, making Moss a valuable asset alongside Dillon’s power-running style.
D’Onta Foreman
D’Onta Foreman’s tenure with the Chicago Bears in 2023 highlighted his ability to make significant contributions under pressure, showcasing why he would be an invaluable addition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite being initially relegated to third-string following the drafting of Rochon Johnson, a series of injuries to the Bears’ running back corps provided Foreman an opportunity to shine.
He capitalized on this chance, forcing 21 missed tackles and averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Foreman’s physicality and determination were evident as he finished the season with 425 rushing yards and four touchdowns and proved his versatility with 11 receptions for 77 yards and an additional score.
At 6-foot and 235 pounds, Foreman’s strength is a standout feature, as shown by his ability to gain 2.7 yards after contact per attempt, making him a challenging opponent for defenders to bring down. His robust performance underlines his potential impact on the Buccaneers’ backfield, merging power with resilience.
The NFL Draft
With the Bucs having locked up Mike Evans and likely to re-sign Baker Mayfield over the next week, they can begin shifting their attention to other positions in the first few rounds. While they aren’t likely to go after a running back in Round 1, they could try and grab one on day 2 of the draft.
One possibility is Texas’ Jonathan Brooks, who averaged over 142 all-purpose yards in his first 10 games last year. While he’s coming off an ACL injury, he could be eased back into action as the year progresses with White and Tucker ahead of him.
Notre Dame’s Audric Estime’ would also be a great pick, complementing White in the most perfect way. While White is quick and shifty and a great pass-catcher out of the backfield, Estime’ has the potential to come in short-yardage situations and pound through the defense with his big body. It would bring back memories of “Thunder and Lightning” in Tampa with Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn.
Other names the Bucs could target on day two include Oregon’s Bucky Irving, Florida State’s Trey Benson, Michigan’s Blake Corum, or Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen.
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