The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped a game against the LA Rams in primetime, literally, but the running backs put on the poorest showing.
A Tom Brady offense can’t succeed if the running backs can’t catch. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have proven this statement over the past few weeks, and it was painfully evident that the Bucs have a significant deficiency in last night’s painful loss.
Tom Brady, the coaching staff, and the defense all fell short at various moments, but the running backs and their stone hands stand out as one of the worst parts about that game. With Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette targeted numerous times throughout the game, the two backs only accounted for one total reception, and this has to change before the playoffs.
It is too soon for the Bucs to look towards the draft, but Tampa Bay needs to start trying out third-down backs by the dozen if they hope to get their offense back on track before the playoffs.
Player #1
Bilal Powell
The free-agent market is not deep with great pass-catching talent at the moment. All of the consistent players in the passing game are either on another team or out of the league, so the Bucs would have to play this safe.
While age is not in favor of the Bucs on this deal, Bilal Powell is an interesting option to check in on. Powell was mostly consistent during his time with the Jets in a similar role, and even his worst years look better than what the Bucs have right now.
Tampa Bay could try Powell out as a safer option, albeit with more of a ceiling than some of the players on the roster.