Tag: rachaad white

Rachaad White gets the ‘Angry Runs’ scepter from NFL Network after epic stiff-arm

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White got the “Angry Runs” treatment on NFL Network thanks to his incredible stiff-arm Sunday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Rachaad White enjoyed a breakout performance in Sunday’s 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Germany, rushing for 104 yards on 22 carries in his first NFL start.

The play of the day from White came at the end of a long run, when he launched Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs into the ether with a devastating stiff-arm that made the ground shake back in the States.

It felt inevitable, but White’s incredible run indeed got the “Angry Runs” treatment from NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt, who had some fun with his weekly segment on “Good Morning Football” this week:

After a performance like that, don’t be surprised if White has a much bigger role in the offense moving forward, even when Leonard Fournette is fully healthy.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw5aerff6ff182 player_id=none image=https://bucswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=73060]

Fantasy Football: 15 best waiver wire targets for Week 11

Rachaad White headlines this week’s list of the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football.

We’re approaching Week 11 of the 2022 NFL season, which means the fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner.

If your team needs some help to make a late-season push, these waiver wire targets could be exactly what you’re looking for. This week’s list includes options at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver and running back.

The most notable player this week is Buccaneers rookie running back Rachaad White, who rushed 22 times for 105 yards in Germany in Week 10. Leonard Fournette (hip) has extra time to recover during Tampa Bay’s bye this week, but White should still be a priority add on the waiver wire.

Another running back to keep an eye on is fellow rookie Kyren Williams, who made his offensive debut with the Rams on Sunday. Williams only rushed one time on Sunday, but he led L.A.’s backfield with three targets, and his role will likely increase in the coming weeks.

Check out the full list of fantasy football waiver wire targets below.

Rachaad White states his case to take over Bucs’ starting RB job

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Rachaad White delivered a breakout performance Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks

Sunday morning, I wrote about why it was time to for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to acknowledge that rookie Rachaad White was the best running back on the roster.

It looks like they agreed, as the third-round pick out of Arizona State started Sunday’s game in Munich against the Seattle Seahawks ahead of veteran Leonard Fournette, who signed a sizable three-year contract extension this offseason.

That opportunity was rewarded with a stellar performance, as White carried the ball 22 times for 104 yards, helping the Bucs score a 21-16 victory over the NFC West leaders.

White punctuated his breakout game with multiple big plays, including a devastating stiff-arm that sent social media into a frenzy, and a pair of big runs on the final drive that put the game away.

Check out some of White’s top plays from Sunday’s big win:

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 11 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets for fantasy football in Week 11.

With trade deadlines approaching and the playoff picture coming into focus, fantasy football managers only have a few more weeks to utilize the waiver wire in hopes of finding some depth to help them win a championship.

Teams on a bye in Week 11 include the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in ESPN leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on Twitter (@KevinHickey11). Your questions, comments, and roasts are always welcome!

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
 Justin Fields 167-147 4
 Patrick Mahomes 331-39 4
 Josh Allen 330-84 1
 Tua Tagovailoa 285 3
 Dak Prescott 265-6 3
Running Backs Rush
Receive		 TD
Jonathan Taylor 22-147
2-16		 1
Aaron Jones 24-138
2-18		 1
Dalvin Cook 14-119
3-27		 1
James Conner 21-69
3-17		 2
Saquon Barkley 35-125
1-8		 1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
CeeDee Lamb 11-150 2
Justin Jefferson 10-193 1
Christian Watson 4-107 3
Christian Kirk 9-105 2
N. Westbrook-Ikhine 5-119 2
Tight Ends Yards TD
Cole Kmet 4-74 2
Travis Kelce 6-81 1
Dalton Schultz 6-54 1
Juwan Johnson 5-44 1
Tyler Higbee 8-73 0
Placekickers XP FG
Eddy Pineiro 1 4
Tyler Bass 3 3
Ka’imi Fairbairn 1 3
Jason Sanders 3 2
Greg Joseph 3 2
Defense Sack – TO TD
Vikings 2-4 1
Titans 6-1 0
Lions 3-1 1
Steelers 2-2 0
Giants 4-2 0

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

RB Leonard Fournette (TB) – Hip
RB Khalil Herbert (CHI) – Hip
WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN) – Ankle
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC) – Concussion
WR Cooper Kupp (LAR) – Ankle
TE – Zack Ertz – Knee
TE Cole Kmet (CHI) – Leg

Chasing Ambulances

WR Cooper Kupp (LAR) – Had his ankle rolled up in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Cardinals. He hopped to the sideline and later limped to the locker room. HC Sean McVay said Kupp would be evaluated by the medical staff but the initial reports were not positive. A severe ankle injury of any kind would decimate what little offensive punch the Rams had.

WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN) – Fell down on the first play with an ankle injury and HC Nathaniel Hackett didn’t give any information. Jeudy was wearing a walking boot after the game and said after the game that he hoped it wasn’t a high-ankle sprain. His availability for next week’s Raiders matchup will be determined later in the week.

RB Leonard Fournette (TB) – He left in the third quarter with a hip pointer injury and was doubtful to return. The Buccaneers head onto their bye after the win in Germany, so solid news may not be known until Week 12.

RB Khalil Herbert (CHI) – He missed the end of the loss to the Lions and was quickly ruled out after injuring his hip on the final drive. More should be known on the Wednesday injury report.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC) – Was lit up by a helmet-to-helmet hit over the middle and appeared temporarily unconscious as he lay stiffly on the field. He has entered the concussion protocol but was able to walk off to the sidelines.

TE Cole Kmet (CHI) – Enjoyed a breakout performance in the loss to the Lions and left the field after colliding with a defender on the final drive. He said afterward that he didn’t believe it was serious and would get more detail on Monday.

TE Zach Ertz (ARI) – Was carted from the field with a knee injury and will have an MRI on Monday to determine the damage. The team still believes that the ACL is still intact but fears that he will miss multiple weeks.

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

RB Rachaad White  (TB) – The rookie logged a season-best 105 yards on 22 carries for the first 100-yard rushing performance in Tampa Bay since Week 1. White started the game but shared with Leonard Fournette, who injured his hip. The Buccaneers head onto their bye, so Fournette has two weeks to heal, but White is already worth owning and would become a strong fantasy starter if Fournette misses time.

TE Cole Kmet (CHI) – After opening the year with zero catches for two weeks, Kmet scored five touchdowns over the last three games. He gained  a season-high 74 yards on four catches with two scores versus the Lions, and that was the second week with double touchdowns. His best games were at home, and Kmet now faces road trips to play the Falcons and Jets.

WR Kadarius Toney (KC) – Scored the first touchdown of his career on a six-yard pass that not only let him score, but according to NextGen stats, he was more open (21 yards) than any other receiver since 2016. Toney ended with four catches for 57 yards, and he tacked on 33 yards on two rushes. With JuJu Smith-Schuster nursing a concussion, Toney could see a bigger role this week when they host the Jaguars.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) – His usage has been sketchy in recent weeks though he scored in Week 7 on his six runs for 32 yards. On Sunday, he was never given a carry, failed to catch either of his two targets, and only played for five snaps. Isiah Pacheco ran a season-high 16 times for 82 yards. Jerick McKinnon was questionable to play with shoulder, knee and hamstring injuries and he still had one carry and six catches for 56 yards. If Pacheco holds the primary rusher role and McKinnon sticks to receiving, both become more reliable fantasy options if Edwards-Helaire remains on the sideline.

Miami backfield – Granted, it was at home and against a weak Cleveland rushing defense, but Jeff Wilson (17-119, TD) and Raheem Mostert (8-65, TD) were both devastating together and Mostert added four catches for 22 yards. The backfield looked better than it has in many years. The Dolphins head onto their bye and then host the Texans in Week 12 for more fun. They were so effective, that it could impact the need to pass.

WR Darius Slayton (NYG) – The Giants’ wideouts have been ineffective all season, but Slayton produced three consecutive games with 60+ yards and gained 95 yards on three receptions with a score in the win over the Texans. That included a 54-yard touchdown catch and sprint down the sideline. Next week, the Giants host the Lions.

RB Najee Harris, RB Jaylen Warren (PIT) – The Steelers placed emphasis on fixing their mediocre rushing game and intended to use the rookie Jaylen Warren more, even if it meant lowering the workload for Najee Harris. Against the Saints, both backs were effective. Harris rushed for a season-high 20 carries for 99 yards, while Warren handled a season-best nine carries for 37 yards and added three catches for 40 yards. The Steelers will consider their backfield as more of a committee ongoing and will host the Bengals next week. That will be a solid measurement since they played in Week 1 and the duo combined for only 13 carries for 30 yards.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN) – He’s been below fantasy relevance this season, and then when Malik Willis was the starting quarterback in Weeks 7 and 9, Westbrook-Ikhine failed to catch any passes. With Ryan Tannehill back, he caught five passes for 119 yards and two scores in the win over the Broncos. It was just one game, but the next three games are against the Packers, Bengals, and Eagles. Derrick Henry may not be enough to win those games.

QB Matt Ryan (IND) – Of the many recent changes for the Colts, the interim head coach Jeff Saturday said that Sam Ehlinger would remain the starting quarterback, which held true right up to game time when Matt Ryan reassumed the starting role. He threw for 222 yards and one score to Parris Campbell in the fourth quarter for the winning margin. He also ran in a touchdown and rushed for a career-high 39 yards on just one scramble. The Raiders had not prepared for him, but the the Eagles this week likely will.

RB Tony Pollard (DAL) – Ezekiel Elliott missed the last two games, and Pollard has been terrific taking the heavier load. He ran for 131 yards and three scores in Week 8 on the visiting Bears. On Sunday, he gained 115 yards and one score on 22 rushes in the loss at the Packers. Elliott hasn’t rushed for 100 yards since Week 5 of 2021. Pollard has two in the last two weeks.

WR Christian Watson (GB) – The rookie totaled ten catches for 88 yards over the six games he had played. So it was unanticipated when he caught a career-best four passes in Week 10. And they went for 58 yards (touchdown), 39 yards (touchdown), three yards, and seven yards (touchdown). He was a major contributor to the Packers ending their five-game losing streak and beating the Cowboys. He’ll have another chance to shine this week against the visiting Titans.

San Francisco backfield – In an NFL sense, the 49ers backfield and overall offense is something to fear as it is stocked with weapons and in a system that loves to tinker, mix-and-match, and attack an opponent from all angles. In a fantasy football sense, this may not be a great thing.

The return of Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell on Sunday meant that all of the weapons were healthy and present for the first time. But there are so many players that they will continue to erode each others production and likely make it less consistent for each player. Deebo Samuel was paid $71 million for three years but his return only produced four runs for 27 yards and two catches for 24 yards. Brandin Aiyuk caught six passes for 84 yards. George Kittle had one catch for 21 yards.

Christian McCaffrey ran 14 times for 38 yards and a score, plus caught four passes for 39 yards. But Elijah Mitchell was given 18 carries for 89 yards. When was the last time that McCaffrey wasn’t the primary ball carrier for his team? And one of the two scores was on a run by Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers head to Arizona this week, and the work distribution will be worth noting. That’s a  lot of hands in that pie.

Huddle player of the week

Justin Fields – He was the highest-scoring quarterback last week. At home against the Lions, Fields ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns, plus passed for 167 yards and two more touchdowns. He took the lead in the fourth quarter when he ran for a 67-yard touchdown while looking a lot like Michael Vick with his speed. As good as Fields has been recently, it is mind-warping to think his rookie season was devoted to forcing him to throw from the pocket.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Matt Ryan 260 2 QB Jared Goff 250 1
RB Alec Ingold 45 1 RB C. Edwards-Helaire 0 0
RB Jaylen Warren 77 0 RB C. Patterson 20 0
WR Christian Watson 107 3 WR Cooper Kupp (-1) 0
WR N Westbrook-Ikhine 119 2 WR J.Smith-Schuster 33 0
WR Trent Sherfield 63 1 WR D.J. Moore 29 0
TE Cole Kmet 74 2 TE Zach Ertz 12 0
PK Eddy Pineiro  1 XP  4 FG PK Daniel Carlson 2  XP
Huddle Fantasy Points = 142 Huddle Fantasy Points = 22

Now get back to work…

Bucs 21, Seahawks 16: Postgame reaction from Tom Brady, Rachaad White and more

Hear from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following their 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Munich

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got another huge win Sunday, beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-16 in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Germany.

After the game, Bucs quarterback Tom Brady, running back Rachaad White, head coach Todd Bowles, linebacker Devin White and others reacted to the team’s second straight victory:

Seahawks: 7 takeaways from Munich matchup with Buccaneers

Here are seven takeaways from today’s loss in Germany.

The Seahawks got pummeled the first three quarters by the Buccaneers today in Munich. They rallied in the fourth quarter and made it an interesting game, but came up just short, losing 21-16.

Here are seven takeaways from today’s loss in Germany.

 

WATCH: Bucs RB Rachaad White throws epic stiff-arm to finish off long run

Watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White throw a defender out of the club

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled to run the ball effectively all season, but they’ve hit their stride in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks in Munich.

A balanced attack featuring equal doses of Leonard Fournette and rookie Rachaad White has the Bucs over 100 yards rushing for the first time in forever, after averaging just 60 yards per game on the ground coming into Week 10.

White delivered Tampa Bay’s biggest play on the ground Sunday late in the third quarter, finishing off a 29-yard run with a stiff-arm that Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs will want to forget.

It’s 14-3 Tampa Bay in the fourth quarter now, and the Bucs have a chance to pull away even more if they finish off this drive with points.

[listicle id=72998]

Rachaad White is the Bucs’ best RB, and it’s time for them to act like it

Leonard Fournette is the veteran with the big contract, but rookie Rachaad White needs to the the Bucs’ starter in the backfield

When Tom Brady announced he was coming back for another season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got to work retaining some of his most important weapons on offense.

One of them was running back Leonard Fournette, who was coming off an impressive 2021 campaign, which the Bucs rewarded with a three-year contract extension.

A month later, the Bucs would add some reinforcements to their offensive backfield, spending a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Arizona State running back Rachaad White.

As Tampa Bay embarks on the second half of the 2022 season, it’s time for them to admit that White should be the starter over Fournette.

There might not be anything in the box score that backs up this assertion, but a closer look at the film shows that White brings traits to the table that give the Bucs a better chance to win if he’s on the field more often.

While Fournette has always excelled as a downhill runner thanks to his impressive blend of size and power, he’s struggled with other key traits like vision, patience, and lateral agility, even going back to his time as a star at LSU. Despite his bigger frame and more powerful running style, Fournette has struggled mightily in short-yardage situations this year, thanks in large part to the absence of those other traits.

White, on the other hand, has an impressive blend of that trifecta, which he put on display every week for the Sun Devils before flashing the same well-rounded skill set in limited work for the Bucs so far this season. His upright, smooth style of running drew predraft comparisons to prime Le’Veon Bell, and it’s hard to argue with the resemblance.

Not only does White have abilities that make him a more effective runner than Fournette, but he also excels as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and has improved his pass-protection skills as the season has moved along. He’s quickly developed into a true three-down back who is deserving of a featured role.

White is already showing the leadership of a seasoned veteran, too.

During last week’s dramatic win over the Los Angeles Rams, Fournette was reportedly frustrated about being on the sideline for a particular drive, while White was in the game instead. It was the rookie who was doing his best to provide encouragement to his more experienced teammate, per Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports:

It’s hard to tell a more experienced, more highly paid veteran to take a back seat to a rookie, but considering how much the Tampa Bay offense has struggled this season, they need to make sure they have the best 11 players on the field at all times.

That means making White the starter, and seeing just how much better the offense can be with his more complete skill set at Tom Brady’s disposal.

[listicle id=72982]

Fantasy Football: 10 utilization stats to know after trade deadline

The NFL’s trade deadline created some shakeups in fantasy football utilization trends.

After a record-setting 10 trades were completed on deadline day last week, 12 players are now set to finish the 2022 NFL season with new teams.

This week’s list of utilization stats to know is highlighted by the trade deadline, with seven of the 10 players mentioned now playing in new cities.

Let’s get to the list!