Like much of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, the Bucs’ running back group is entering a period of transition. Leonard Fournette is gone, and while 2022 third-round pick Rachaad White looks to be the new lead back, Tampa should look to bolster the position in this year’s draft.
Under newly hired offensive coordinator Dave Canales, the Bucs will look to improve on the ignominious 3.4 yards per carry they averaged on the ground last season. While changing the offensive scheme and philosophy is a large part of improving the run game, revamping the roster is the surest way of becoming more efficient on the ground.
Rachaad White figures to be a big part of the Bucs’ run game in 2023, regardless of any additions the Bucs make. General manager Jason Licht has spent the offseason talking White up, calling him “a stud” at this year’s annual owner’s meeting.
What the Bucs need is the “two” in the one-two punch that most NFL teams now deploy in their run games. White has a relatively complete skill set, so the Bucs can be flexible with who they target in the draft.
Tampa has too many needs to target the cream of this year’s running back crop like Texas RB Bijan Robinson. Fortunately, this year’s class is so deep, they can easily nab a quality halfback even as late as Day 3 of the draft.
Here are the running backs the Bucs could target in this year’s draft: