Tag: rachaad white

Fantasy football: Where to draft Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White

Analyzing Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White’s 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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The Buccaneers selected RB Rachaad White in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. He took over the lead role in Tampa Bay’s backfield last season, touching the ball over 330 times. The efficiency though was not where you’d like it to be for a workhorse, rushing for just 3.6 yards per carry. Below, we look at Rachaad White’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

White heads into his 3rd season with the Buccaneers under coach Todd Bowles and new OC Liam Coen. The Bucs are expected to take a slight step back as sportsbooks are pegging them at a 7.5-win total. The 25-year-old White should be entering his prime as a running back, but with rookie RB Bucky Irving joining the mix, competition for touches could be fierce. Still, White remains a key piece in Tampa Bay’s offense for 2024.

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Rachaad White’s ADP: 29.21

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

White’s 29.21 ADP puts him in the range of the 3rd to 4th round depending on the size of the league. He has the best ADP on the Buccaneers, a few slots ahead of WR Mike Evans (31.61).

Among all NFL running backs, White’s ADP puts him 12th at the position, behind Miami’s De’Von Achane (28.13), Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco (22.27) and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (20.23). Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III (31.10) and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs (33.61) are 13th and 14th, respectively.

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Rachaad White’s 2023-24 stats

Games: 17

Carries | rushing yards: 272 | 990

Rushing touchdowns: 6

Receptions | receiving yards: 64 | 549

Receiving touchdowns: 3

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Where should you draft White?

White had a standout season a year ago, finishing with over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 9 TDs. He ended up 4th in fantasy points among running backs, thanks in part to a stellar 91.4% catch rate — best in the league among players with 50+ catches.

White handled nearly 20 touches per game and kept improving throughout the season. After a slow start, he averaged 100.1 scrimmage yards and scored 8 times over his last 10 games. From Weeks 8-16, he was on fire, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game.

Despite this strong performance, he’s currently ranked as a 2nd-tier back in fantasy rankings. Some experts doubt he can keep up the pace with QB Baker Mayfield getting more comfortable with WRs Evans and Chris Godwin. However, given White’s solid finish and role in the offense, he could still be a great fantasy pick for the upcoming season.

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Buccaneers GM Jason Licht credits HC Todd Bowles for roster transformation

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht shoveled some praise towards the team’s coaching staff and how they have developed the new-look roster.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went all in a few years ago with veteran players led by Tom Brady as they pursued a Super Bowl. They achieved that goal, saw some players and coaches ride off into the sunset, and had to press the reset button.

On Friday, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht praised the team’s coaching staff for developing the new-look roster.

Speaking with the team’s media, Licht acknowledged the role the coaching staff led by Todd Bowles has played in developing the team’s younger players.

“One thing [about] Todd [Bowles] and his coaches – they’re not afraid to play young guys and they love to develop young guys. That makes our job – my job – really easy, because we love young talent. We don’t love getting rid of older guys, that’s not the point. It’s [that] we want what’s best for the football team. . .we’re very happy with the way it’s worked, and now, we’re hoping to win this year, too.”

There are not many more healthy relationships in the NFL between a general manager and head coach than the one between Bowles and Licht in Tampa Bay. When a team has that sort of relationship, things are more fluid, and you see the results you can generate.

Both men now look toward the 2024 season, where they hope to build on a strong 2023 season that saw the team return to the playoffs.

Is Rachaad White a one-man band among Buccaneers running backs?

Will this backfield be a one-man show in 2024?

Following the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady, little was expected from the 2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead, they improved their record, going from 8-9 in 2022 to 9-8, and raised a third straight NFC South banner. Despite that, the Bucs offense hardly covered itself in glory, finishing 23rd in total yards, 20th in scoring, and dead last in rushing at a measly 88.8 yards per game — their 3.4 yards per carry was also the lowest figure in the NFL.

The club will have a new offensive coordinator after Dave Canales left to take the head coaching gig with the Carolina Panthers. In his stead, the Bucs hired Liam Coen, who sandwiched two years with the University of Kentucky as OC around a one-year stint in the same role for the Los Angeles Rams. He’s been primarily involved with the passing game in his career, including serving as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach in previous stops, but he’d still like to see improvement from the ground attack.

In terms of personnel, Tampa Bay brings back its top-two rushers from last year in running backs Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, and they added Bucky Irving in the draft.

New Bucs OC Liam Coen already impressed by RB Rachaad White

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen already likes what he sees in starting running back Rachaad White

For the second year in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, as Liam Coen takes over the Dave Canales, who left after just one season calling plays for the Bucs to be the head coach of the division-rival Carolina Panthers.

One thing that won’t be changing for the Bucs offense? The leader in the backfield, as running back Rachaad White returns to his starting role after racking up more than 1,500 yards of total offense last season.

During a recent appearance on the “Pirate Parlay” podcast, Coen spoke with JC Allen about why White has already impressed him during offseason preparations for the upcoming 2024 campaign:

Even with the arrival of rookie fourth-round pick Bucky Irving, White should once again be one of the most productive backs in the NFL this year.

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2024 Schedule Swings: Running Backs

Which RB gets an easier schedule for 2024? Who experiences the worst drop in schedule strength?

The schedule strength for running backs is always the more accurate among fantasy positions, thanks to their volume of work and the tendency of teams to feature the run and rely more consistently on individual players. That makes this analysis the most reliable.

The average fantasy points allowed by defenses to running backs last year were applied to each offense’s schedule to determine their true schedule strength of last year, and applied the same values to their 2023 schedule. This includes considering both home and away venues separately for each defense.

See Also: Quarterbacks | Receivers

The resulting fantasy point advantages are compared between years and the difference is their “swing points.”  The higher the Swing Points, the better their schedule is compared to last year. This analysis is more telling than standard schedule strength. You know what happened last year with players – do they get an easier or tougher schedule for 2024?

Best schedule swings

 Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet (SEA) – After two seasons as the No. 20 fantasy running back, Walker gets a chance to take advantage of the most dramatic swing for the position. His schedule strength rockets up from No. 30 to No. 2 and that should be apparent so long as Charbonnet doesn’t take a hefty chunk away from him.

Aaron Jones (MIN) – The offensive line won’t be an advantage unlike back in Green Bay, but Jones’ first season with the Vikings with a boost from the No. 29 up to the No. 9 schedule. He wasn’t there last year, but he suffered through the worst schedule in 2023 while with the Packers. The schedule should help get him back on track.

Breece Hall (NYJ) – Hall already exploded last year when the Jets kicked off the training wheels and let Hall become the workhorse back. He’ll enjoy a lighter schedule this time around and maybe even a passing offense that can take the pressure of him.

Javonte Williams (DEN) – After a tough 2023 when he was still recovering from his torn ACL, Williams has a nice upgrade to his schedule but he seems to have lost a bit from his injury and the Broncos added Audric Estime. This isn’t as safe of an advantage as it might seem.

Rachaad White (TB) – With the Buccaneers getting a rougher passing schedule, White may already be in line for more receptions from the backfield. But he also gets a solid upgrade in rushing schedule that should keep him on the field and productive. Bucky Irving was drafted to help out, but an easier schedule should keep White looking better and keep Irving from making inroads for a bigger share.

About the same schedule strength

The only notable teams are the Bengals and Colts who repeat what were already tough schedules from 2023.

Worst schedule swings

Christian McCaffrey (SF) – Okay, so the best running back from 2023 has the worst swing in schedule strength. Is that enough to sway you from taking him with the 1.01 pick? Probably not. McCaffrey’s problem is more about staying healthy but he’s always a monster when he plays because he just switches to being a receiver if the rushing lanes are clogged. Still, will be interesting to track.

Bijan Robinson (ATL) – Not Bijan too! The Falcons’ stud running back is hoping to become “all that he can be” now that Arthur Smith is gone and new OC Zac Robinson wants to use him extensively in any way they can get the ball into his hands. But the dip from No. 7 down to the No. 29 is concerning for any back. On the plus, Robinson’s volume should be much higher for 2024, and he was already the No. 8 fantasy running back last year with partial use.

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) – While Christian McCaffrey and Bijan Robinson should be better than their schedules, the same may not be true for the aging Elliott, who has slowed down and is now back in Dallas for the second time for a team with a lesser O-line and now the worst schedule for running backs. Elliott is no lock to remain the RB1 in Dallas all season and has fallen deep in drafts. This won’t make him any more appealing.

Travis Etienne (JAC) – The schedule strength has taken a downturn from 2023, but like McCaffrey and Robinson, Etienne is a dual-threat back and the center of their backfield that contains no real competition.

James Cook (BUF) – This is a bit concerning for a lesser talented back than the above players. Cook ended as the No. 11 fantasy back last year as a surprise, but he was facing the No. 2 best fantasy schedule for the position. He drops below average for 2024, and the Bills offense will be different with their best wideouts gone. That may help Cook see more receptions, but he’s probably not “better than his schedule.”

Bucs RB Rachaad White has a bold request for fantasy football managers

If you’re looking for a first-round strategy in your fantasy football draft, Rachaad White has you covered

Last year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was one of the best in the league when it came to racking up fantasy football points, tallying more than 1,500 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns while playing more offensive snaps than any other running back in the league.

That should have fantasy managers lining up to take him early in this year’s drafts, and White himself thinks he should be a first-round selection.

During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” White told everyone to make sure they select him in the first round of their respective drafts this season:

Even with the addition of rookie fourth-round pick Bucky Irving, White should still have an even better season in 2024, thanks to multiple additions along the interior of the offensive line.

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Bucs RB Rachaad White talks Baker Mayfield, new offense and more

Hear what Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had to say during his recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show”

For the second year in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, as Liam Coen replaces Dave Canales, who left to be the head coach of the division-rival Carolina Panthers.

One thing that won’t be changing is the QB-RB battery of Baker Mayfield and Rachaad White, who are back and primed for even bigger things after solid performances in 2023.

White recently appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” to give his take on Mayfield, Coen’s new offense, and more.

Watch the video above to see what White had to say.

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How do the Bucs’ offensive weapons stack up to the rest of the NFL?

See how ESPN’s Bill Barnwell feels about the Bucs’ offensive skill-position players heading into the 2024 NFL season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seen solid production out of their offensive skill-position players in recent years, but how does their unit stack up against every other NFL team heading into the 2024 season?

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently ranked all 32 teams based on the current state of their combined wide receiver, running back and tight end groups, and the Bucs came in at the No. 13 spot.

Here’s what Barnwell had to say about Tampa Bay’s offensive weapons this year:

Mike Evans can’t keep doing this, can he? In his age-30 season and playing without Tom Brady, Evans rose to the occasion with a banner campaign. His 1,255 yards were the most he has had since 2018, and he led the league with 13 touchdowns catches. With 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé, Evans is going to have a viable Hall of Fame case in a few years. Receivers on the wrong side of 30 are always dangerous propositions, but he has been so remarkably consistent that it’s hard to expect much of a drop-off.

Chris Godwin also quietly had a bounce-back season after his 2022 season was limited as he adjusted to life after a torn ACL. He was back up to 12.3 yards per catch after falling below 10 yards per reception the prior season. That 2019 season when he had a career-high 1,333 yards with Jameis Winston chucking the ball all over the place looks more like an outlier than a level of play he can hope to hit in the years to come, but the only thing missing from Godwin’s game is touchdowns. He has 10 across 285 catches over the past three seasons, which is comfortably the worst mark in football for any wide receiver with 150 catches or more over that timeframe. Get this man into the end zone in 2024!

I’m a little less sanguine about Rachaad White, who has absorbed a starter’s workload by default. He had 1,539 yards from scrimmage last season, but he ranked last in the league with minus-110 rush yards over expectation and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. His role in the passing game grew and he racked up 549 receiving yards, but again, the efficiency was just average, as he picked up 1.4 yards per route run. There’s value in being able to take a ton of touches, but White isn’t appreciably moving Tampa Bay forward on a regular basis. The rest of the offense behind White and Godwin isn’t promising, which keeps the Bucs from going higher.

Evans and Godwin should be solid again this year, and White should benefit from a better run-game scheme under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

The Bucs may not have any more big names among their offensive skill guys, but it’s strange to assert that group lacks promise given the youth and upside of players like Trey Palmer and Cade Otton, as well as new rookie additions in Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan.

To check out Barnwell’s full rankings piece for ESPN, click here.

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Rachaad White talks personal goals, Bucs’ mindset for 2024

Rachaad White and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are primed for even bigger things in 2024 after an impressive campaign last season

Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ struggles running the ball last season, Rachaad White was still one of the most productive backs in the entire NFL, racking up more than 1,500 total yards while playing more offensive snaps than any other running back in the league.

Heading into his third season, White is primed for even bigger things under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and behind an offensive line that should be much improved after some key additions in the offseason.

During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” White talked about his personal goals for the 2024 season, as well as the team’s mindset after making an impressive playoff run in 2023:

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Fantasy Football Top-10 Repeatability: Running Backs

Take a step back and see how the Top-10 RBs change from year to year.

A Top-10 running back is a difference maker because not they score among the highest fantasy points of any position, and do so with great consistency.  The position has fallen in value over the last several years and the reliance on a workhorse back wanes each season. But – there is still an undeniable advantage to owning a Top-10 fantasy running back.

Also see: Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end

Below are all running backs that produced a Top-10 finish in any of the past five seasons, and what they did in the other years. This shows the volatility of the position and how rarely backs actually return to the Top-10 the following season, despite the fact we all draft like they are going to repeat.

Chance of repeating Top-10 = 20%

Running backs have been on the decline for many years while backfields become more fragmented and workloads spread over more “specialists.” That’s accelerated greatly for the last two seasons, and it is not just injuries shaking up depth charts.

Consider that in the last two years, 18 running backs made the Top-10. Only Joe Mixon and Derrick Henry logged back-to-back Top-10 seasons. And both have changed teams for 2024. The volatility of the top players is dramatic and unlike any other position. Six of the 2023 Top-10 were no better than No. 33 in 2022. Austin Ekeler and Josh Jacobs were in the Top-2 for 2022 and yet fell to No. 24 and No. 27 respectively. That’s a high draft pick last year that did no better than a fantasy RB3 for your team.

The disturbing part of this is not so much the tremendous turnover at the top, but that the new batch of elite fantasy scorers are almost all coming from deep in the rankings for the one year. The position has become the host for the annual Cinderella’s to show up and then stumble the next year.

The 2023 Top-10 running backs are very well represented in fantasy drafts with seven of them again drafted in this year’s Top-10 (Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Travis Etienne, Kyren Williams, and Derrick Henry). The only Top-10 backs who fell out of the Top-10 in drafts so far have been Rachaad White (No. 14), Joe Mixon (No. 17), and Raheem Mostert (No. 32).

Hard to argue against waiting on running backs. Very hard.

Let’s make this even worse. Consider how well the Top-10 of 2021 fared just two years later.

Joe Mixon was the only running back to be Top-10 in 2021, and then again two years later. Half of the 2021 backs failed to place better than No. 33 just two seasons later.