Potential Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Targets Fits: Running Back
By JC Allen
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did exactly what they said they would do this offseason and returned all of their high-quality free agents on the team. Back in the fold are Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Chase McLaughlin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. They added depth and potential starters to the team with the likes of Jordan Whitehead, Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, Tavierre Thomas, Bryce Hall, and Randy Gregory while also bringing back core depth pieces in Greg Gaines, Chase Edmonds, and John Wolford.
The moves they made have given them great flexibility in the draft, and while holes remain on the roster, they’ve positioned themselves to where they aren’t pigeonholed into any one position in the draft. In this series, we’ll take a look at each position in the draft and potential prospects they could select in each round. In some rounds, there won’t be any fits due to not having an overwhelming need at the position or no first-round grades on players who could potentially be there at their selection.
At the end of each preview, we’ll break down the Bucs best roster fits at each position from rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-7.
Rachaad White proved he could handle the load as a number-one running back last season but could still use someone to spell him in games. Yes, the Bucs brought back Chase Edmonds and still have Sean Tucker on the roster, but Edmonds had trouble staying healthy last season and Tucker was a healthy scratch after Week 4. That's not to say either back couldn't spell White when needed and when healthy, Edmonds provided a spark to the offense — but the Bucs neither would be an ideal fit to start games if White were to go down with an injury. This isn't the deepest draft at the position but there are some good options in the third and fourth rounds the Bucs could pair with White and could step into a larger role if needed.
Round 1
None
Simply put, there are no running backs worthy of a first-round selection this year. As the league devalues the position, players need to be a generational talent to garner first-round consideration.
Round 2
Jonathon Brooks, Texas [6'0, 216, 40-N/A, 3SO]
Brooks might not even be a second-round selection, but he likely has the best chance of this group of running backs this year. He would've been a second-round lock and perhaps sniffed the first round if an ACL tear didn't derail his final season at Texas. Brooks has three-down potential in the NFL. He displays a certain smoothness in his running style and makes sharp decisive cuts with the acceleration to blow by defenders. He will need to be a bit faster with his run plan choosing which hole to hit and accelerating and he isn't a physical run finisher. However, he has all the tools to be a starter in the league. He ended the season with 1,139 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns to go with 25 receptions, 286 yards and a score. Brooks had an official Top 30 visit with the Bucs.
Rounds 3 - 4
Trey Benson, Florida State [6'0, 216, 4.39-40, 4JR]
Benson has the ability to take it to the house at any time. In addition to his long speed, he is also able to crank out the tough yards. In 2023 he forced 45 missed tackles with 551 yards after contact. He had three scores of over 80 yards over his career including a 93-yard kickoff return. He'll need to show better vision and anticipation at the next level as well as better recognition in pass protection but has improved drastically through college in that area.
Benson would be the perfect complimentary back to White with the ability to spell him but also carry the rock if injuries occur. Over his two years at FSU, he compiled 1,885 yards on the ground with 23 touchdowns while reeling in 33 receptions for 371 yards and a score. While there haven't been reported meetings or visits with the Bucs, scouts have surely spoken with him throughout the season with him being in Florida.
Jaylin Wright, Tennessee [5'10, 210, 4.38-40, JR]
If the Bucs are looking for a quick-cut high-speed running back, look no further than Wright. He can work all three downs with a stout muscular build, running with strength and balance. He's not afraid to take on defenders in pass protection and can catch the ball with soft hands. However, he's not going to drop his shoulder to pick up the tough yards and needs to improve his pace, precision, and patience to maximize his runs. For his track speed, he has also never been used on special teams or as a returner which would've boosted his value. Wright ended his junior year with 1,013 yards rushing with four touchdowns and 22 receptions for 141 yards receiving. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.
Marshawn Lloyd, USC [5'8, 220, 4.46-40, 4JR]
Lloyd displays a quick burst and has quick decisive cuts. He's a tough runner to bring down with 47 missed tackles for 457 yards after contact and can also be used in the passing game. He can be inconsistent seeing running lanes and tends to want to bounce it outside too often. But he has the potential to be a starting back in the league or part of a dynamic committee. Lloyd finished his 2023 campaign with 820 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Audric Estime, Notre Dame [5'11, 222, 4.71-40, JR]
Estime is a bulked-up downhill back who can pick up the tough yards but also has the fluidity and vision to pick up chunk yards. He had 14 rushes of 20 or more yards in 2023 which was the third most in the FBS, though at times he can be a little stiff and doesn't have the sharpest of cuts. He'll need to work on his receiving ability and can be a bit flat-footed in pass protection. He finished 2023 with 1,341 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. Estime had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin [6'1, 235, 40-NA, JR]
As a big back, Allen doesn't have the breakaway speed of smaller runners in the draft class but has above-average patience and vision at the line of scrimmage. Football is life for Allen and he's not afraid to do the dirty work in pass protection. However, he doesn't always play to his size and isn't much of a factor in the passing game. He had 984 yards rushing in his final season to go with 12 touchdowns. Allen had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Ray Davis, Kentucky [5'8,211, 4.52-40, 5SR]
David shows food footwork and contact balance that allows him to absorb hits and keep moving forward. He's a one-cut back who plants his foot and shoots up the field with good burst and vision to gain chunk yards. However, he doesn't have breakaway speed, can be an impatient runner, and struggles in pass protection. He finished his final season at Kentucky with 1,129 yards rushing and 14 scores, adding 334 yards and seven touchdowns receiving. Besides the obvious connection with new Bucs offensive Coordinator Liam Coen, Davis also had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Will Shipley, Clemson [5'11,206, 4.45-40, JR]
Shipley is a do it all running back, above average as a runner, receiver, and blocker. He runs with urgency and can be an early down pounder but because of his blocking and receiving skill can be a three-down contributor. He has been praised for his leadership though he has just average size and doesn't have the top speed to win races to the edge and can be tracked down from behind. He finished his collegiate career with 2,748 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns adding 603 yards through the air. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Rounds 5-7
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State [6'0, 218, 4.57-40, SR]
Davis is a hard-nosed runner who can pick up the tough yards and possesses top-notch vision and instincts. He always seems to find the right hole to break through. Though he's not a burner, his short-area quickness and agility are exceptional. However, he's not going to run away from anyone, isn't a major factor through the air, and needs to improve as a pass blocker. He finished his senior season with 1,578 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns, adding 23 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown through the air. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Cody Schrader, Missouri [5'9, 202, 4.61, 6SR]
Schrader is a physical runner with excellent contact balance running with an attitude to pick up the tough yards. He is a north and south runner with tremendous leg drive and plays faster than his testing time. Not afraid to pick up the big boys in pass protection and is known as a leader in the locker room. However, he doesn't possess breakaway speed and needs to improve his patience as a runner. He's not much of a receiving threat out of the backfield either. He finished his final year at Missouri with 1,647 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the combine.
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire [5'10, 206, 4.54-40, 6SR]
Laube is the ultimate receiving back and possibly the best one in the draft class. he shows the skills as a wide receiver in terms of tracking and sets defenders up with good foot quickness to make them miss. He was a team captain and finished with four return touchdowns in his career. However, he doesn't have homerun speed and his contact balance leaves a lot to be desired. He won't ever be an every-down runner but creative offensive coordinators will find creative ways to get him involved in the game. He finished his collegiate career with 2, 773 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns adding a staggering 171 receptions for 1,791 yards through the air and 14 scored. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the combine.
Kimani Vidal, Troy [5'8, 213, 4.46-40, SR]
For his size, Vidal is a tough runner with great contact balance as an instinctive between-the-tackles back. He had a staggering 94 missed tackles for 1,056 yards in 2023 which was good for second overall in the FBS. Though he ran a 4.46 during testing, he plays slower than that and isn't dynamic in the open field. He'll also struggle to win the corner and doesn't really have much special teams value. He finished his collegiate career with 4,010 yards rushing,10 touchdowns, 92 receptions, and 700 yards receiving. He met informally with the Bucs at the combine.
Kendal Milton, Georgia [6'1, 225, 4.62-40, SR]
Milton is your typical big-bodied short-yardage back. He has good vision and patience and makes timely cuts gaining speed as he reaches the second and third levels of the defense. He's a plus blocker in pass protection and when asked to perform as a lead blocker. However, he doesn't have long speed and is a nonfactor in the passing game. After waiting in line behind other backs, he finished 2023 with 790 yards and 14 touchdowns averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He had an informal visit with the Bucs at the combine but has experience with former Georgia and new Bucs receivers coach Bryan McClendon.
Best Fit Rounds 1-2
Jordan Brooks
Adding Brooks might be overkill with Rachaad white on the field but general manager Jason Licht noted recently that the team can't have enough depth at the position adding, "I think if we feel that we need to upgrade the room or the running game, not necessarily the player but just the running game, we can’t be afraid to take another player." If the Bucs feel like they need another starting caliber back on the roster Brooks very well could be the pick in Round 2.
Best Fit Rounds 3-4
Ray Davis
Davis fits for obvious reasons. First, he knows the system and the offensive coordinator. Second, he's a running back with a similar but different skillset than White to spell him without the offense skipping a beat. Llyod could also be in consideration in these rounds as well.
Best Fit Rounds 5-7
Isaiah Davis
Davis is one of my favorite prospects in this year's draft and if the Bucs are looking for a physical back who can pick up the tough yards Davis fits the bill. He had an insane amount of production in college and showed he could play up to the competition in the Senior Bowl. Milton also makes a lot of sense if the Bucs are looking for a big-bodied short yardage back.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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