Buccaneers Rankings: How the running backs rank in the division
If there’s been one consistency for the Buccaneers’ backfield, it’s been the presence of a consistent starting presence.
However, this season won’t see the team take the field with the same guy kicking off the season.
Instead, Tampa will have to rely on their usual second-string player as the number-one guy.
How does this situation impact their starting outlook? Let’s see.
4. Carolina Panthers – Jonathan Stewart
While the Buccaneers haven’t overtaken the Panthers to win a division title in quite some time, they’ve boasted a better running back situation more often than not.
No disrespect to Jonathan Stewart, but I don’t see Bucs fans making any Madden moves to get the 10th-year back in pewter anytime soon.
When Carolina let DeAngelo Williams walk, they gave Stewart the reigns full-time. Since then, he’s turned in some of his best statistical seasons yet.
However, the fact remains, he hasn’t turned in a 1,000-yard rushing season since 2009.
Don’t expect him to reach this milestone this season either, leaving him at the bottom of the NFC South pecking order.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Martin
Twice in this Buccaneers career he’s had Pro-Bowl season. Three times now, he’s failed to reach even 500-yards.
This inconsistency has expectedly frustrated the fan-base , and has also given rise to questions about the future of the position.
Now, stemming from a failed drug test in 2016, Doug Martin will miss the first three games of the 2017 regular season.
Two road games are ahead of this team without their inconsistent starter. What situation Martin will walk back into when the Buccaneers host the Giants in Week 4 is certainly up for debate.
Still, despite all this, would any of you trade Martin for Stewart? So, he comes in at three.
2. New Orleans Saints – Adrian Peterson
There was plenty of noise surrounding Adrian Peterson and whether or not the Buccaneers should pursue the future Hall of Famer.
Alas, he’s in New Orleans playing for the Saints in 2017. Whether his health will hold up is the big question, but his talent is undisputable.
Appearing in just three games last season certainly supported the theory the 32-year old may be on the downhill side of his career.
Still, expect him to be the starting back when the regular season starts. If he’s healthy, he’s still a pretty good one.
1. Atlanta Falcons – Devonta Freeman
Devonta Freeman is the only running back in this group to notch 1,000-yards in 2016.
When you combine his ground yards with his receiving yards, he had more than 1,500-yards of offense and nine touchdowns.
Helping get the Falcons to the Super Bowl is a pretty strong level of momentum to carry into this season.
He may be starting number one, but only time will tell if he finishes there.
No surprise here as the Falcons’ starter comes in ranked above the Buccaneers’ Martin and the rest.
If career trends hold true though, this is the year Tampa is supposed to have a strong running presence, although it’ll have to wait until Week 4 to get started.