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3 Leonard Fournette replacement who can have a huge impact for Bucs in 2023

By Josh Hill

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shakes hands with fans as he enters the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shakes hands with fans as he enters the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 25: Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns rushes for a touchdown in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 25: Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns rushes for a touchdown in the first half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RB. Texas Longhorns (1st Rd Pick). Bijan Robinson. 2. player. 851

If the Bucs don’t use free agency to fill the void left by Fournette, the next logical place to do so is the NFL Draft.

Tampa Bay has already been linked to Texas Longhorns star Bijan Robinson, with NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mocking him to the Bucs with the No. 19 pick. Using a first-round pick on Robinson is a steep price, even with running back now appearing to be a potential position of need for the Bucs.

First-round running backs don’t have a solid history of working out. Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, and Tony Pollard were all backs taken after the first round, and hoping a guy turns into Saquon Barkley oftentimes results in someone drafting Melvin Gordon or Ryan Mathews.

Even Fournette was a first-round pick who didn’t fully come into his own until he was already considered a bust and scooped up by his second team.

Robinson is considered to be the best running back in this year’s class, though, and there’s an intriguing upside to inserting him into the team’s future plans now. The Bucs would get Robinson on an affordable rookie contract and would have a key position shored up heading into next offseason. This would give Tampa Bay a backfield duo of Robinson and Rachaad White, or simply have Robinson as the next key offensive weapon for either Kyle Trask or whoever is brought in at quarterback next season.

If the Bucs do end up rebuilding and drafting someone like Caleb Williams next year, it doesn’t take much to get excited picturing an offense where Robinson is behind him on Sundays.

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