Buccaneers Rankings: How the running backs rank in the division
The Buccaneers have dabbled a bit in the dual-back system which has become all the rage these days.
In the NFC South, the Falcons have all but perfected it, and the Panthers look like candidates to adopt the strategy in 2017.
So, the term backup doesn’t mean quite what it did before. Today, this second guy in the depth chart could be just as important as the first.
Let’s see who has the best player waiting in the wings.
4. Carolina Panthers – Christian McCaffrey
There’s a load of potential in this Panthers rookie.
Some – myself included – see Christian McCaffrey as more of a slot receiver than a running back.
Still, this is where he’ll begin his career. As a receiving back and change of pace guy paired with Jonathan Stewart, McCaffrey should get plenty of opportunities to impact the Carolina offense.
Still, until he does something, it’s hard to truthfully expect anything from him. He’ll have to start the rankings down here for now.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jacquizz Rodgers
Jacquizz Rodgers started 2016 with the Bears before ultimately landing with the Buccaneers.
He came in at just the right time too, as the team needed his services more than they expected.
As a result, he turned in over 500-yards on 129 carries during five starts and ten appearances.
He’ll get three starts right of the bat in 2017 if he stays healthy through the pre-season.
Things could be worse here for the Bucs, but Rodgers isn’t going to be unseating any starters.
At age 27, and with plenty of gas in the tank, getting three games out of him will help the Buccaneers start the season right as they wait for Martin’s return.
2. Atlanta Falcons – Tevin Coleman
Tevin Coleman is a solid running back in his own right, but with three career starts in his two seasons, he shouldn’t be threatening Freeman for starts this season.
There should come a day where Coleman will get a chance at being the primary for an NFL franchise, but it’s probably not going to come with the Falcons.
He has nearly 1,500-yards of offense in his short career and nearly 1,000 of those have come on the ground.
His value as a second back cannot be understated, and it’s possible he has the making of a solid NFL starter in there somewhere.
1. New Orleans Saints – Mark Ingram
There isn’t a much better backup a team can get than one who’s been a starter in his own past.
In fact, in 2016 Mark Ingram ran the ball for 1,043-yards and even contributed 319 more to the passing game.
Nobody is going to confuse him for a receiving threat anytime soon, but to have to rely on him would worry fans of this franchise a bit less an any other on the list.
Of course, it’s still to be seen whether or not this partnership between Peterson and Ingram can work.
This team already struggled with teamwork between Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas. Let’s see how this works.
Must Read: Current Bucs v. SB Bucs
It’s not often the Saints take the top spot in one of these rankings, but this is a pretty solid position to take it.
This will certainly help their overall ranking. Let’s get to it.