The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be pursuing their answer – or at least part of it – at running back via free agency.
There’s a hole in the backfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed no interest in seeing if Doug Martin could fill it any more. After releasing Martin and with Charles Sims preparing to enter free agency Wednesday, the Bucs’ backfield consists of Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers.
Despite flashes shown at the end of last season, some still question Barber’s ability to shoulder the load full time. We knew the Bucs would pursue a running back via free agency or the draft, perhaps both. Now, we know who their top target in the open market will be;
Continue to hear Bucs have interest in RB Jerick McKinnon. Team looking to bolster backfield after Doug Martin release.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 13, 2018
We’ve often discussed – both here and on the Locked On Bucs podcast – that Jerick McKinnon should be one of the top targets for the Buccaneers at the running back position. Both he and Dion Lewis seemed to be the top backs for the Bucs in free agency given how they play and what Dirk Koetter will want out of the running back position.
McKinon would certainly be an upgrade over Sims given his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well as actually being able to run between the tackles.
Now, this wouldn’t fully solve the running back woes and the Bucs would still need to look for a young “running back of the future” via the draft, most likely in day two. But a pairing of McKinnon and Michel or Penny would be a dream scenario moving forward.
More details to come as they become available, but this is certainly something to keep your eye on over the next twelve hours. Hopefully, there will be an agreement of some sort before free agency actually begins so that one of the weaknesses on this roster will be addressed prior to the draft.
Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ready To Attack Free Agency
Would you like to see McKinnon join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? What do you think he would add to the offense? Let us know in the comment section below or on Twitter or Facebook!