Drafting Buccaneers: 5 Players to Watch Friday at the Combine
Samaje Perine – Running Back, Oklahoma
We all seem to agree the Buccaneers need to draft a running back from this year’s class. Whether or not Doug Martin has a future in Tampa is in question, and either way, the team needs to find someone behind him or whomever the starter is to come in and take significant snaps.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the team brings back Jacquizz Rodgers then there’s less urgency here, but either way, the team seriously needs to consider the Oklahoma running back who got and deserved an invite to the combine: Samaje Perine.
The Sooner power back is Luke Easterling’s 12th ranked running back in this year’s class, but this doesn’t mean the young man isn’t ready to make an immediate impact on an NFL team.
He’s already cranked out 30 reps on the bench press before the camera lights get brighter, and if he runs faster than expected he could really get the talk churning.
Looking at the tape he’s nowhere near versatile enough to be an every down back at the NFL right now, but he certainly has a battering ram type of style which will help teams salt away the clock late in close games.
If the Buccaneers want to take late game pressure of Winston, then getting a strong back who can run into and through defensive lines will certainly help do it.
Scouts and fans should be watching to see if he’s been working on his foot work and agility before finalizing their assessments, but if Perine is available in round 3 or later, he’s worthy of a look.