Buccaneers need to run away from this proposed trade

No, the Buccaneers can’t trade Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

As the preseason has come to a close, it is time for teams to take a step back and reevaluate their rosters before the start of the regular season. The Buccaneers were able to put a lot on paper when it mattered, and the coaching staff will have a lot to discuss regarding several players and their futures in Tampa.

One of the popular names that is getting thrown under the bus recently is running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Vaughn didn’t pop on the stat sheet during any of the preseason games, and fans are already mistakenly talking about the end of his career in Tampa.

First of all, Vaughn was running behind the worst offensive line imaginable during his reps. Blaming a running back for averaging two yards per carry when there were no holes is asinine, and it was actually impressive that he was able to get his average so high with holes that looked like this.

As the stat watchers see the lack of production from Vaughn, the decision to move on from a back with only one season under his belt became more popular, and a trade idea was discussed.

Mike Clay of ESPN proposed the following trade that looks like it makes sense on paper:

The Ravens do need a running back. It seems like they may lean on their in-house talent for now, but the need is there in Baltimore. The Buccaneers just can’t pull the trigger on this yet.

A draft pick would be nice, but Vaughn hasn’t done enough yet to get the boot. Yes, the offense is already going to feature three different backs that won’t let Vaughn on the field, but moving on after one preseason and one regular season is far too quick.

No one knows what Vaughn can do. Think about the jump Ronald Jones made from year one to year two. Sometimes running backs take time to adjust to the speed and intensity of the NFL, and that is more than normal.

As Jones looks primed to emerge as a top-10 running back during the regular season, it reminds everyone of his less than stellar rookie season that had many fans questioning his future. It just takes time for some players, and moving on back then would’ve cost the Bucs dearly.

Vaughn hasn’t popped yet, but stats don’t mean a thing in the playoffs. The Buccaneers need to take a wait-and-see approach before making any dramatic changes, especially when Vaughn is their only back on the roster for 2022.

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