We all expected the Buccaneers to address running back in the 2017 NFL Draft and now it appears as though they are happy with the group they have.
It’s puzzling, to put it nicely. How is it that so many saw running back as one of, if not the most crucial need on this team yet the Buccaneers will go into the 2017 season with their current stable of Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims, and Peyton Barber. How does this even happen?
The Bucs had a golden opportunity to improve their running game at pick fifty and chose safety Justin Evans instead. Then, Jason Licht trades back into the third round and we all thought, “okay here it is. Marlon Mack is coming.” Nope. It was LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith. A player coming off an ACL tear that would play strong side linebacker, meaning he’s off the field the majority of defensive plays.
So why are they ignoring such a painfully obvious need?
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Jason Licht addressed the media following day two and spoke about the running back situation not being the need many perceived it to be;
"“We have to stick to our board and we have to stick to need versus value on where they meet, I say that over and over again. We like our group and since Doug (Martin), since he went through the situation that he’s been in, it hasn’t been just the last two weeks. We’ve been happy with the trajectory that he’s on. I’ve said that before, but it’s the truth. He has the right mindset right now and looks good physically. We still have some time there. Just two years ago he was the second-leading rusher in the NFL. We like Jacquizz (Rodgers) obviously, and Charles (Sims), Peyton (Barber). Sometimes people seem to think that-that’s within the building we feel comfortable with our guys and that includes Doug.With Doug, we’re just keep on pace where we’re at and keep monitoring. We’ve had great conversations with him. We still have a few rounds left here. There could be a back, there could be a wide receiver, there could be any position, really. Until you get them in here, until you get first-hand knowledge of them in the meeting rooms and then, more importantly, out there on the field and playing in preseason games, you can’t predict if anybody is going to beat anybody out right now. But I would say that right now we are very happy with the way things are going with Doug.”"
No matter how the rest of the draft pans out, it’s extremely frustrating and mind-boggling that a position the Buccaneers needed to address was as deep as running back was this year yet it gets completely ignored.
I’ve been a big fan of Doug Martin. I’ve been an avid defender and supporter of his in years past. Now? I have no reason to trust him. I have no reason to believe he is going to be anything more than what we’ve already seen the last five years – an injury prone back that flashes one out of every two-three seasons.
Next: Buccaneers' Day Three Mock
I hope the Buccaneers are right. I trust Jason’s decisions as he’s earned that with his track record. I just hate to see this team booming the way it has been and be derailed down the stretch because of another season of incompetent running back play.