Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4 free agent possibilities after cap increase
By Cory Kinnan
RB Jay Ajayi
The Buccaneers, to this point, have not done much to add depth to the already existing running back room led by Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. Besides signing undrafted free agent Bruce Anderson from North Dakota State and free agent Dare Ogunbowale (who is more of a camp body), Tampa Bay seems set to run it back with two guys who did not average four yards per carry.
An obvious weakness of both Barber and Jones is their ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, so if the Buccaneers were to add a back it would make sense that it would be a versatile back. Enter Jay Ajayi.
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Ajayi has been significantly limited during his career because of his nature as an injured back, but when he is healthy he is among the league’s most explosive. Throughout his four year career, Ajayi has had two seasons, 2016-17, where he was healthy for the majority of the season.
During this span the former Boise State Bronco tallied over 2,100 yards and nine scores on the ground and 69 catches out of the backfield. Ajayi made the Pro Bowl in 2016 when he ran wild for over 1,200 yards and eight scores as a member of the Miami Dolphins.
If the Buccaneers want a back who could potentially give them a solid statline and versatility, Ajayi is the best still on the market. If the 26-year-old Ajayi manages to stay healthy, he could give Tampa Bay a heck of a bargain.