Buccaneers running back room: Who should team go forward with?

If the Buccaneers can’t find the right player in free agency, they have some options in the draft to help fill in the gaps.

Najee Harris:

Now, this is probably just a pipe dream, but running backs have been dropping farther and farther every draft. The Bucs would probably have to use the 32nd pick to get him, and normally running backs just aren’t worth it. If the plan is to go all in the next two years then it’s worth it though. He’s a GREAT runner, a good pass protector, and a good receiver. He’s an extremely balanced player very similar to Ezekiel Elliott in his early years in Dallas. He’s overqualified as a number two/third-down back in year one, and as a possible replacement for Jones who is a pending free agent next year.

Travis Etienne:

Etienne was much higher on the board earlier in the year, but he’s been exposed as a poor pass protector. He has the size and the will to do it, but he has bad technique. This can be fixed, but it’s something to consider if they’re planning to take him in the first round. The rest of his game is just as good as Harris’s. Maybe a slight downgrade in between the tackle running and a slight upgrade outside and in the open field. Depending on how the Bucs staff sees him, a first or second-round pick would help boost the running back room in Tampa.

Demetric Felton:

Felton is an interesting case. He’s almost closer to a receiver than he is a running back. He didn’t run between the tackles much in college, which in Tampa’s smash-mouth down their throat run scheme, could be a problem. Other than that he’s a perfect fit. Great hands, great open-field runner, good pass protector. He’s a born third-down back with a lot of upside. Think Christian McCaffrey minus the downhill running ability. The kicker is by most accounts he’s a late day two/ day three pick.

The Buccaneers have a chance to make some big adjustments this offseason. Hopefully, they can take a much-improved run game to a top-of-the-league rushing attack in 2021.