Buccaneers Final Draft Grades: Evaluating the Entire 2017 Class
48. . Running Back. Boise State. Jeremy McNichols. 162. player
The last time the Bucs drafted a running back, it was Boise State’s Doug Martin.
Now, the team has drafted another, and it was another Bronco. This one’s name is Jeremy McNichols though.
McNichols totaled 3,205 yards rushing in three years at Boise State including back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons in 2015 and 16.
He added another 1,089 career receiving yards leaving his school with 4,294 yards of combined offense and 55 total scores.
However, he also has some fumble issues and will need to resolve those if he hopes to see the field often as a pro.
It looked like the Bucs had a powerhouse duo at running back when Doug Martin and Charles Sims combined in 2016 to be the NFL’s best backfield in the NFL.
The campaign ended with a new contract for Martin and a Pro Bowl selection.
Last year, the proverbial wheels fell off as injury and suspension saw Jacquizz Rodgers go from the streets to starting for the Bucs for much of the season.
Even he couldn’t stay completely healthy though, and each week was a virtual spin of the roulette wheel to see who the top back would be.
News of Martin’s drug issues completely sent the running back depth chart crumbling however, and most of this off-season has been circling around what the team would do to address the unrest behind Jameis Winston.
It seems now, the answer is not nothing, but not much. The further we got into the draft if appears the team will keep Martin in his role when he returns in Week 4, and for now, McNichols has thrown his hat in the ring to take early reps in his absence.
Consider this pick an insurance pick. If Martin does not or cannot come back, then McNichols will be chomping at the bit to grab hold of the starting job.
I like his versatility and production, but ball security is everything.