Buccaneers 2018 Free-Agency Spotlight: Running back, Dion Lewis

After releasing Doug Martin, prior to that even, running back has been one of the biggest needs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they will look to bolster the position in free agency and the draft and here is one option who could help.

The Buccaneers have had one of the worst run games in the NFL over the last few years and after giving Doug Martin one more shot last season, and in doing so deciding not to bring in any backs (that made the team) last off season to bolster the unit. They are now forced to likely bring in two via draft and free agency.

With the need for a bell cow back and with pass catching back Charles Sims also a free agent the Buccaneers will be looking for an all-around back who can fill both of those roles to some degree.

Unrestricted free agent Dion Lewis has been a combination back for the New England Patriots since 2015 winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2016.

He could potential be a perfect fit for the Buccaneers to fill a dual back role, so might they attempt to sign him in free agency?

Dion Lewis’s Career

He was drafted in the fifth round (pick 149) of the 2011 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles out of the University of Pittsburgh and played in 24 games. In 2013 he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and missed the entire season before being cut in 2014. A shot with the New England Patriots in 2015 is when his career really took off playing in seven games before tearing an ACL, and in 2016 winning a Super Bowl. Finally, in 2017 he was given more of a starting role and had his best season by far with 180 carries for 896 yards (5.0 yards/carry) and six touchdowns, and 32 receptions (catching 91.4% of his targets) for 214 yards and three touchdowns. In his five-year career he has totaled 329 carries for 1584 yards (4.8 yards/carry) ten touchdowns with 88 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns and one Super Bowl Victory.

Why the Buccaneers Need Him

After releasing Doug Martin and Charles Sims being a free agent the Buccaneers have two backs signed in Jacquizz Rodgers and Dalton Crossnan who has never taken a snap in an NFL game. The last five seasons the Buccaneers have had one of the worst run games in the NFL finishing in the bottom ten of the league in rushing in four of the last five seasons (5^th in 2015). The ineffectiveness of the the run game has caused Jameis Winston to have to take more risks as teams aren’t afraid of the run game and focus on playing the pass. The lack of a run game is causing Winston to have to throw the ball nearly 500 times (Average 515 passes/year) every season and thus also causing him to throw for 44 interceptions (Average 15 interceptions/year) in his three-year career.

While Lewis average 4.8 yards/carry and caught 78.5% of his targets in his career he would likely take over the Charles Sims role as Sims only averages 3.9 yards/carry and caught 73.2% of his targets with the Buccaneers. Having basically no rushing ability Sims was basically a receiving threat where Lewis proved that he can rush and catch passes, so he would be an upgrade to Sims and would help add to the Buccaneers run game.

What Will Dion Lewis Cost?

As a dual threat back who is good at rushing and catching and has probably benefited from the Patriots offense Spotrac gives him a market value average of $5 million per year. Which still would give the Buccaneers room in their running back positional spending to also spend on a bell cow back like a Carlos Hyde, or to draft a running back early in the draft.

Next: Free Agent Spotlight on Kenny Vaccaro

Will It Happen?

Running back is probably the Buccaneers second need behind pass rushers and Lewis as a dual threat back is something that the Buccaneers value, but he has only played a full season once (2017) and probably benefited from being in the Patriots offense. Turning 28 in September and not being a full bell cow back I believe that at a price tag around $5 million per season that the Buccaneers may pass, and look for someone younger and cheaper to fill that dual threat role like maybe a Jerick McKinnon.

Either way the Buccaneers will be heavily involved in looking for running backs in free agency and the draft and will likely come out with two to three new running backs this off season.

Now you tell me what your thoughts are on Dion Lewis as being an option for the Buccaneers is he the right options, or will they go for someone cheaper for the dual threat back role?

"More Buc-less trades, the return of Fitzmagic, and Twitter Fingers! All on this episode of the Locked on Bucs podcast."

Let me know what your thoughts are on the latest installment of the “Free Agent Spotlight” in the comment section or tweet me directly @ND1Bucsfan . This off season should be an exciting and fun time for the Buccaneers and it all starts next week so as always … FIRE THEM CANNONS!!!

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