Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Free agents the Bucs need to let walk

The final free agent that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to move on from is not based on money like the others. While Peyton Barber is not the most expensive player on the roster, his role on the team prevents the Buccaneer rushing attack from taking the next step.

Peyton Barber was the best Buccaneer running back since Doug Martin. Barber was never anything flashy, but he was almost painfully consistent and competent between the tackles.

Barber was a great placeholder, but Ronald Jones is now the future and he may have hit his ceiling in 2019 if he is going to miss out on around 10 touches per game to another running back.

Jones has made massive improvements in his game since his rookie year and was able to show some moments of greatness in 2019. The downside for Jones was that he missed out on 154 rushing attempts to Peyton Barber.

With current averages taken into account as well as necessary rest during games, Jones would have easily broken the 1,000 yard rushing mark and been close to 500 yards receiving if he had a normal backup and not a shared role. Ronald Jones certainly needs a backup, but Peyton Barber can not be splitting reps.

Barber has been loyal to the Buccaneers, but this is another break that would likely be beneficial to both sides. The Bucs would get an accurate examination of Ronald Jones while Barber can find somewhere else to get more touches and more money.