The Pewter Plank
FanSided

5 reasons why the Buccaneers shouldn’t draft Jonathan Taylor

By Rob Leeds

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during BIG Ten Football Championship Game2 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during BIG Ten Football Championship Game2 at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finds room to run between inside linebacker Darron Lee #58 of the New York Jets and outside linebacker Josh Martin #95 during the *** quarter of an NFL football game on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finds room to run between inside linebacker Darron Lee #58 of the New York Jets and outside linebacker Josh Martin #95 during the *** quarter of an NFL football game on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

The final reason why Tampa Bay should avoid drafting Jonathan Taylor is that it wouldn’t actually help improve the Buccaneer offense.

Doug Martin was the best Buccaneer running back during the 2010s and during his “on years” where he was unstoppable the Buccaneers stayed exactly where they currently are. Martin had two dominant 1,400+ rushing yards seasons for the Buccaneers and the team was no better than it is now.

The Buccaneers went 7-9 in 2012 and 6-10 in 2015 despite Doug Martin being one of the best running backs in the entire NFL during those years. Even then, the narrative had begun to shift towards one that valued the pass more than the run.

A common argument made is that Jameis Winston needs a running back to help alleviate offensive pressure and minimize interceptions. People love to point to the fact that Jameis made the Pro Bowl in his only season with a 1,000+ yard rusher on the roster.

Fans should at least consider the fact that Jameis’ 2015 Pro Bowl selection may actually have been a product of the aura surrounding the former Heisman Trophy winner rather than his production on the field in the NFL.

Winston was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl in 2015, taking the spot from Kirk Cousins who threw for more yards, more touchdowns, and fewer interceptions.

Winston’s stats and the majority of his metrics have actually improved despite the weaker overall run game of recent years.

dark. Next. Buccaneers: Lavonte David set up for return to Pro Bowl

Jameis’ 2015 season was one of the worst of his career despite having an elite running back on the roster. Jonathan Taylor would not magically fix Jameis Winston and would struggle to take the Buccaneer offense from its already-elite level to anything higher.

Home/Bucs Draft