Buccaneers: 3 2021 free agents Tampa Bay can’t move on from
By Rob Leeds
The “thunder” for the Buccaneers on the ground
The Buccaneers currently have the best one-two punch in the NFL on the ground. Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette dominated in the playoffs while allowing the offense to stay as balanced as possible, and the Super Bowl ring shows this strategy worked.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
While running back is not a priority position and is easy to replace in the draft, the Bucs need to keep Fournette and Jones on their roster. Jones is still on his team-friendly rookie deal, but Fournette may have more of a draw than he did at the start of last season.
If the price is team-friendly, which it should be, Fournette can at least return for one more season while the Bucs are in “win-now” mode. Fournette provided much more depth than a rookie would in year one, and his performance in the playoffs alone was enough to earn him another chance in Tampa.
Fournette and Jones would easily maintain their current dominance on the ground well into next year, even if the Bucs also add a rookie to share the load on third down. Fournette is still better than Jones in the passing game anyway, so even if the Bucs want to keep Jones as the primary back, Fournette stills makes a case to stay in the mix.
Want to write about the Buccaneers? Apply below!