Fox Sports NFL beat writer Greg Auman predicts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will sign his 97th-ranked 2026 free agent, Tyler Allgeier. Where the Bucs currently sit, this would be a perfect pair with Bucky Irving. Allgeier is a former 1,000-yard rusher who was thrust aside when Bijan Robinson entered the picture in Atlanta.
The former BYU linebacker still produced at a modest level despite being a backup for three straight seasons. He scored eight touchdowns and rushed for over 500 yards in 2025 as a backup.
In 2023-2024, he rushed for at least 640+ yards despite only minimal playing time. He won't provide much in the receiving game, but he's exactly what the Bucs are looking for.
Greg Auman predicts Zac Robinson poaching elite running back from NFC South Rival
Not only is he a fantastic running back, but he also has ties with the new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The two spent two-seasons together in Atlanta, where Allgeier produced his best backup season.
With Rachaad White clearly not returning to Tampa Bay, and Sean Tucker a pending free agent, the Bucs have some work to do. Irving is the clear No. 1 option in the backfield, but he struggled to replicate his rookie magic in his 2025 sophomore campaign. Irving produced just 3.4 yards per carry, and his rushing yards per game dropped over seven yards.
After an elite rookie season, it's hard to know what to expect from Iriving in 2026. He still provides elite receiving abilities, but plenty of flaws appeared in his 2025 game. His rushing yards over expected was second worst in the NFL despite defenders not stacking the box to stop the run nearly as often as against most running backs.
With his 5'10'' 195-pound frame and his make-you-miss playstyle, he cannot be an every-down bell cow back. That's precisely why Allgeier is the perfect complement. Think of Allgeier as a much better version of White. He is a power-back who can push through at the goal line and is incredibly reliable.
Over his four-year career, Allgeier has racked up 676 rushing attempts and 61 receptions. He has not fumbled a single time over those touches. Multiple times late in the season, if the Falcons needed to secure the ball and run the clock out, Allgeier would completely replace Robinson as the back. Zac Robinson would hand him the ball over and over again, knowing he'd secure the rock.
That is not the confidence Todd Bowles and Co. had in White. With his ties to Robinson and predicted $1.8 million average salary in 2026, signing him is a no-brainer. I believe he'll be much more expensive than this Spotrac prediction, but he'll be worth every penny to bring into Tampa Bay.