The Pewter Plank
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down depth at running back

By Cory Kinnan

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Chidobe Awuzie #24 of the Dallas Cowboys on a carry in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 23: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Chidobe Awuzie #24 of the Dallas Cowboys on a carry in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Carries will be closer to 50/50 in 2019

Last year Peyton Barber led the way on the ground for the Buccaneers with 871 yards and five scores. While he was a restricted free agent this offseason, Barber decided to re-up with the Buccaneers without testing the market on a one-year deal worth just over $1 million.

The Buccaneers made Ronald Jones one of their three second round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft in hopes of landing a long term option in the backfield. However with less than 50 yards rushing and one touchdown in his rookie season, Jones will need to take a mighty leap in his second season in Tampa Bay.

Related Story. Ronald Jones named as breakout star. light

The early indications are promising as Jones has been reported to be a breakout performer to this point in camp, and the Buccaneers will need him to be. Last year Barber proved he could not carry the full load in Tampa Bay as his numbers dropped as his carries increased. Jones and Barber will look to split carries at a clip closer to 50/50 this season instead of the heavy tilt in Barber’s favor from a year ago.

While there are new faces below Barber and Jones, they remain at the top of the depth chart. Expect Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich to ride the hot hand between the two as neither will act as the bellcow back for the pewter and red.

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