Pewter Report analyzes the highest gamers within the 2024 NFL Draft with its place previews – energized by CELSIUS, the official vitality drink of Pewter Report. Josh Queipo continues the previews with the operating again place, giving a complete have a look at what the Bucs have and what they want at operating again.
Queipo additionally offers an in depth record of this 12 months’s high operating backs whereas Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds gives up the Bucs draft wants and the annual Pewter Report Bucs’ Greatest Bets – the most definitely operating again for the Bucs to pick out in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.
What The Bucs Have At Working Again
The Bucs head into 2024 with many of the operating again room they began with in 2023. Third-year runner Rachaad White leads the way in which after totaling 990 yards on the bottom, 1,539 yards from scrimmage, and 9 complete touchdowns in his first 12 months as a function again. He actually separated himself as a top-three receiving again within the league, catching 64 of his 70 targets for 549 yards and three touchdowns. As a real runner the outcomes had been far more blended with White as he averaged simply 3.6 yards per carry, down from the three.7 mark he posted his rookie 12 months. His 2.53 yards after contact per carry was thirty third amongst certified runners whereas he was 18th within the league with 39 missed tackles compelled.
Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Behind White is veteran Chase Edmonds. Whereas White’s operating model is that of a glider, Edmonds brings extra suddenness and brief space quickness. Edmonds’ 5-foot-9 body limits his function to that of a backup and if White had been to succumb to an harm that may pressure him to overlook time, Edmonds is probably not the again the Bucs flip to as the first substitute. Nonetheless, Edmonds is a proficient, change-of-pace again who averaged 5.0 yards per carry from Week 12 on final 12 months.
At present holding down the RB3 function is 2023 rookie Sean Tucker. Tucker was an undrafted free agent the Bucs signed shortly after the 2023 NFL Draft. Many draft analysts had a draftable grade on Tucker, who amassed over 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns over three years at Syracuse.
A coronary heart situation popped up on Tucker’s medicals throughout the pre-draft course of which was the first driver in him not getting drafted. He acquired a clear invoice of well being over the summer time and had a restricted function final 12 months, carrying the ball 15 instances for 23 yards. Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht mentioned at this 12 months’s NFL Mix that Tucker might want to step up this 12 months.
What The Bucs Want At Working Again
The jury continues to be out on Rachaad White being a real function again. He hasn’t damaged out as a runner, save for a three-game stretch in the course of final 12 months, and his most elite trait as a receiver tends to lend itself to extra of an RB2 function. The Bucs may actually use extra of a pure runner for early downs. Somebody who can churn out extra yards after contact via extra of a bulldozing, contact-balance method.
Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht could also be coveting a larger-framed again, of which there are a number of potential choices who needs to be accessible in mid-to-late rounds. That sort of runner would have a greater shot than Edmonds of taking the lead-back function ought to the Bucs be with out White for any vital stretch of time.
Whereas it might not appear to be operating again is a urgent want for the Bucs, think about if White was misplaced of a stretch of video games. It’s uncertain that Chase Edmonds and Sean Tucker may carry the load, and Tampa Bay’s floor sport would probably endure. Don’t be stunned to see the Bucs draft a operating again as early because the third spherical on this 12 months’s draft.
Prime Working Backs In The 2024 NFL Draft
1. Texas RB Jonathan Brooks – Redshirt Sophomore – 6-0, 216 – N/A
Whereas there’s consensus as to who the highest quarterback on this 12 months’s draft is, the identical can’t be mentioned for the operating again place. You can take the highest 5 gamers on this record and get them organized at random. Brooks has acquired a superb quantity of hype to doubtlessly be the primary off the board someplace within the again half of the second spherical. Brooks has an electrical first step that he makes use of to stay and explode out of cuts. He combines this with good imaginative and prescient and a sensible operating model the place he units up would-be tacklers earlier than brushing by them.
Brooks suffered a torn ACL late within the season that may impression his draft inventory, however as soon as he recovers, he ought to have the ability to lead an NFL backfield. His profession is mild on quantity stats with simply 1,475 dashing yards and 16 touchdowns, however that’s as a result of he was buried on the depth chart behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson the 2 years previous to final. However as soon as handed the reins, he shined with 10 touchdowns, 1,135 yards dashing whereas averaging over six yards per carry.
2. Michigan RB Blake Corum – Redshirt Senior – 5-8, 205 – 4.53
Michigan RB Blake Corum – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Corum maxes out his smaller body by eradicating virtually each ounce of potential physique fats. The result’s a bodily specimen that ensures each inch of his physique is ready to pack a punch. Corum isn’t a robust downhill runner, however has good agility and imaginative and prescient. He additionally has a nostril for the tip zone as evidenced by 27 touchdowns in 2023 whereas averaging a landing for each 11 carries his closing two years at Michigan. He ran for nearly 4,000 profession yards with back-to-back campaigns over 1,000 yards whereas averaging 5.5 yards per carry for his profession.
Corum lacks breakaway pace which is able to restrict his ceiling within the NFL. He additionally lacks the endurance desired of the place and could also be decrease on the boards of zone-heavy groups that ask a again to permit blocks to develop earlier than they press the road. This over-eagerness additionally reveals up when he’s go defending as he can commit too quickly and miss his goal. He has been an virtually full non-factor as a receiver. He extra extra profession dashing touchdowns (58) than he does profession catches (56).
3. Florida State RB Trey Benson – Redshirt Junior – 6-0, 216 – 4.39
Regardless of being a two-year starter, Trey Benson has by no means eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season. He got here shut in 2022 with 990 yards and adopted that up with a 905-yard marketing campaign in 2023. However don’t let that lack of manufacturing make you suppose he isn’t a proficient again. The mix of pace and make contact with steadiness on his perfect body make him an intriguing possibility. He reveals the endurance behind the road of scrimmage, permitting blocks to develop and giving him the complete image of the place he can finest discover yards and the coveted massive play. And when the chance is there, he can pull off the large runs with sub-4.4 pace.
Benson is much from an ideal prospect although as he had main knee harm (2020) and might run upright which limits his means to run via contact. Benson additionally continues the pattern of backs on this class who’ve restricted manufacturing within the passing sport, barely averaging over one catch per sport since cracking Florida State’s beginning lineup. The wager with Benson shall be that the knee accidents are far within the rearview mirror and his big-play potential will repay on the subsequent degree on a body that may maintain a starter’s workload.
4. Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright – Junior – 5-11, 210 – 4.38
Wright might have a extra direct path to beginning than different backs forward of him on this record as a consequence of his superior go safety. As a runner he has monitor pace as evidenced by his sub-4.4 40-yard sprint. Wright has a robust and versatile decrease half that permits him to blow up via gaps and juke defenders. He prefers to kick the ball exterior, one thing he will be unable to do as a lot within the NFL. However he was much less profitable on these carries garnering lower than 40% of his yards and runs of 10+ yards on these carries. For him to be extra profitable on the subsequent degree Wright might want to embrace a extra inside operating model the place he generated 546 of his 1,010 yards final 12 months.
Wright had 71 carries of 10+ yards in his profession with a number of runs over 80 yards highlighting his explosive means and capped off his profession at Tennessee with a formidable 4.35 yards per carry after contact. He has had ball safety points prior to now however improved in 2023 with only one fumble. Wright embraces extra of a shifty, avoid-tackles operating model that doesn’t at all times translate to the following degree somewhat than driving into and thru contact. That will restrict his suitors within the draft and will depart him off the Bucs draft board.
5. USC RB Marshawn Lloyd – Redshirt Junior – 5-9, 220 – 4.46
USC RB Marshawn Lloyd – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Marshawn Lloyd has spectacular tape however a scarcity of quantity manufacturing. He generated half of his 1,621 profession yards in 2023 whereas averaging 7.1 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns. Lloyd’s 32% compelled missed deal with price for his profession spiked final 12 months at over 40% and over 20% of his runs in 2023 went for 10 or extra yards.
He has nice burst and explosiveness to stay and go. He combines these qualities with good imaginative and prescient to take advantage of holes and achieve yards with good contact steadiness and runs via tacklers. Lloyd’s lengthy pace is deceptively good, and he causes defenders to take poor angles that leaves them in his wake. However he wasn’t a lot of a receiving menace however his effectivity is stable as evidenced by his 72.2% catch price whereas averaging virtually 18 yards per catch. His go safety might want to enhance to be trusted as a three-down again.
6. Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen – Junior – 6-1, 235 – N/A
Allen was a three-year starter at Wisconsin the place he amassed slightly below 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns. In his closing 12 months he was capable of become involved within the passing sport extra (28 catches) however they didn’t include a lot effectivity (solely 4.7 yards per catch). Whereas Allen has a big body and a linebacker-like construct, he doesn’t decide to that sort of utilization. He is a great runner with good imaginative and prescient and a affected person method. Allen is without doubt one of the youthful backs on this class, having lately turned 20 however nonetheless has extra manufacturing than among the redshirt seniors.
Regardless of his formative age he receives rave evaluations for his maturity, character and competitiveness. Allen’s burst is a plus, however he lacks lengthy pace and change-of-direction expertise to be thought of dynamic. He additionally has a litany of accidents which have precipitated him to overlook time in every of his school campaigns. Allen lacks a real calling card, elite trait, however is a stable all-around again with good go safety expertise. If he can study to run like he’s constructed it might unlock untapped potential. Till then he profiles extra as a security web RB2.
7. Notre Dame RB Audric Estime – Junior – 5-11, 222 – 4.61
Estime is an enormous, highly effective, runner with among the strongest legs within the class. He makes use of these legs to generate a ton of torque and launch some highlight-reel hurdles. Estime is coming off of a breakout 12 months the place he averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scoring 18 touchdowns whereas accumulating 1,341 dashing yards.
He’s a straight-line runner who extra curves than cuts when making an attempt to alter course. His 4.61 40-yard time at his professional day quelled some considerations over lack of top-end pace when he ran a 4.75 on the NFL Mix. He’s a robust brute-force runner that not often goes down on first contact. Along with his lack of change-of-direction skills he has hassle gearing down and up once more, that means he’s actually extra of only a bowling ball that continues to construct pace as he rolls down the lane. That additionally means Estime profiles extra to an influence scheme somewhat than a two-dimensional zone scheme.
8. Oregon RB Bucky Irving – Junior – 5-9, 192 – 4.55
Irving is without doubt one of the smaller, and more practical pass-catchers, on this 12 months’s draft. His 56 catches, 413 receiving yards and two touchdowns had been the results of dependable palms and a proficient means to work in house after the catch. At his dimension, his 40-yard sprint is a priority, however he performs sooner than he instances. However he’s explosive in house with nice burst and good really feel for corrupting defensive angles. Irving’s imaginative and prescient is missing however he has surprisingly good contact steadiness for his dimension.
Irving tends to unnecessarily gradual himself down on the outset of runs, relying an excessive amount of on his burst to avoid wasting him. That gained’t translate properly to the following degree. Irving’s finest path to success within the NFL can be as a 3rd down receiving again, the place his pass-catching expertise and willingness as a blocker will assist him maximize his strengths and reduce his weaknesses.
9. Kentucky RB Ray Davis – Redshirt Senior – 5-8, 211 – 4.52
Kentucky RB Ray Davis – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Davis totaled 197 carries for 1,131 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first and solely season at Kentucky. He added 32 catches for 324 yards and 7 touchdowns via the air. He compelled 51 missed tackles (25.9%) which was a constant price throughout his four-year collegiate profession. Thirty-one of his carries went for 10 or extra yards. For his dimension, he has good brief space burst and acceleration. Davis makes use of his body properly to soak up would-be tacklers whereas persevering with to maneuver ahead.
Davis operates properly as a one-cut again and that sticks his foot within the floor after which will get vertical with haste. Over his first 4 years in school at Temple, and later Vanderbilt, Davis labored in zone-heavy programs. With Kentucky final 12 months Davis ran hole at virtually a two-to-one ratio versus zone runs. Davis’ footwork is a plus for his dimension and helps him preserve good contact steadiness. And whereas his lengthy pace just isn’t a plus, he’s fairly adept at getting 10-to-25 yards in chunks.
10. Clemson RB Will Shipley – Junior – 5-11, 206 – 4.45
Shipley is a cerebral runner who could make guys miss earlier than they even try to deal with him. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry or extra in every of his three seasons at Clemson, totaling 2,748 yards and 31 touchdowns throughout his time there. One of many extra constant receivers on this group, he additionally added 85 catches, 602 yards and two touchdowns via the air. Shipley is a quintessential “all-around” again, displaying to be above common as a runner, tackle-breaker, receiver and blocker.
Shipley lacks a real elite trait in addition to a high gear to be thought of a house run menace. He doesn’t at all times win the nook when he tries to assault it. Shipley has suffered some accidents all through his profession and has proven ball safety lapses at instances in each the passing and operating sport. However he’ll enchantment to groups on the lookout for a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none so as to add to their roster.
Greatest Of The Relaxation
11. Purdue RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. – Redshirt Senior – 5-11, 209 – 4.48
Tracy started his school profession at Iowa as an enormous vast receiver earlier than transferring to Purdue the place he switched to operating again. Consequently, he’s a really balanced again that may catch and run the ball with ease, which makes him pro-ready. Tracy logged a career-high 113 carries for 716 yards and a 6.3 common with eight touchdowns in his sixth 12 months. That confirmed NFL groups that he has potential to run between the tackles and play operating again.
However with 113 profession catches for 1,201 yards (10.6 avg.) and 5 receiving touchdowns, he’s destined to be a three-down again within the NFL able to being an all-purpose weapon. With 4.48 pace, Tracy is loads elusive within the open subject with the ball in his palms – both as a runner on the second degree or as a receiver.
12. Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo – Redshirt Senior – 6-0, 221 – 4.33
With a really distinctive dimension/pace mixture it’s a surprise why Isaac Guerrendo was not a much bigger a part of the Louisville offense. With only one profession begin throughout six seasons, the just about 24-year-old again by no means logged a 1,000 yard season, topping out at 810 in 2023. A part of the problem is an harm historical past that was a part of the rationale why he has stayed in school for thus lengthy, lacking over 23 video games between 2019 and 2021.
Nonetheless there’s sufficient traits/expertise in his sport to maintain groups intrigued. Measurement, pace, receiving means and go safety will probably lead him to getting an opportunity after one other again goes right down to harm the place he finally ends up being among the finest backs within the league for a 4-6 sport stretch sooner or later within the subsequent three years.
13. Marshall RB Rasheen Ali – Redshirt Senior – 5-11, 206 – N/A
Marshall RB Rasheen Ali – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
A 2022 season that was largely misplaced to harm buttresses two very productive campaigns for Ali. Combining 2021 and 2023, he ran for two,536 yards and 38 touchdowns whereas including 74 catches for 555 yards and one other two scores. He reveals wonderful footwork and pace.
Ali has the pace and burst to contribute not solely on offense, however doubtlessly be one of many largest beneficiaries of the brand new kickoff rule the NFL shall be instituting in 2024. There are some harm considerations that had been seen up via all-star season (tore a bicep throughout Senior Bowl week) and he may stand to run behind his pads extra.
14. Missouri RB Cody Schrader – Redshirt Senior – 5-9, 202 – 4.61
Schrader comes with a wealth of expertise with over 2,000 touches since his highschool profession began. That will flip a whole lot of groups off who will fear about his mileage. It doesn’t assist that Schrader’s most popular operating model is to embrace and dole out contact.
Schrader’s operating model could be very linear, however that doesn’t mesh properly together with his common pace and severely reduces his probabilities of being a dynamic participant on the subsequent degree. His dense body, robust leg-drive and tenacious demeanor will make him a sought-after commodity on day three because the hammer in a operating again committee.
15. New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube – Redshirt Senior – 5-10, 206 – 4.54
Laube is the very best receiving again on this class with manufacturing that may make some receivers blush. 68 catches, 708 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023 helped him earn an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl the place he stood out with among the quickest high speeds of the week amongst all operating backs. However Laube’s operating model lacks breakaway pace or the contact steadiness to supply a path to a beginning function within the NFL.
The hope for Laube shall be a crew with a artistic offensive coordinator can carve out a multi-dimensional function for him to line up in each the backfield in addition to within the slot and sometimes out vast as a poor man’s Christian McCaffrey for 5-10 snaps per sport.
16. Washington RB Dillon Johnson – Senior – 5-12, 217 – 4.68
Johnson s a finest profiled with a receiver-first skillset that provides some operating on high. He’s slippery in holes, decreasing his floor space and making it tough to convey him down. However his lack of true open-field pace will create a fairly low ceiling for him. His 173 profession receptions shall be attractive for groups on the lookout for a top quality and dependable check-down possibility within the passing sport.
Johnson did emerge as an entire operating again throughout his senior season. Battling accidents, he nonetheless ran for a career-high 1,195 yards with 16 touchdowns whereas averaging 5.1 yards per carry in serving to Washington attain the school soccer championship sport.
17. Troy RB Kimani Vidal – Senior – 5-8, 213 – 4.46
Troy RB Kimani Vidal – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Vidal was a standout among the many operating backs on the Reese’s Senior Bowl week displaying off his pace and burst. Vidal stacked that efficiency on some of the productive seasons by a operating again within the FBS. His 1,661 dashing yards, 1,862 yards from scrimmage and 15 complete touchdowns earned him a 3rd crew all-American and Solar Belt Convention offensive participant of the 12 months honors.
Vidal’s small stature and lack of particular groups’ expertise will damage his draft inventory with some groups. He tends to be extra of a linear runner, struggling to win throughout a lateral airplane and never at all times profitable the nook when he challenges it. However he’s a troublesome runner with a nasty demeanor and powerful leg drive and that may enchantment to old-school coaches who desire a scrapper.
18. South Dakota State RB Isaiah Davis – Senior – 6-0, 281 – 4.57
Isaiah Davis has a robust body and highly effective legs that may make him interesting as an early-down yard grinder. His mixture of operating energy, ending model and ball safety ought to afford him a possibility to be a pure runner who helps get groups to 3rd and brief. He can be a aim line menace as he has proven a nostril for the tip zone with 50 profession touchdowns.
Regardless of racking up virtually 700 carries and 4,548 profession dashing yards at 6.7 yards per carry, he has simply 53 profession catches and fewer than 500 yards via the air. Davis just isn’t more likely to be trusted on third down and lacks the pace to be a dynamic weapon that groups will need to construct packages for throughout the offense. However in the event you want a troublesome 2-4 yards he would be the man you need to put in.
19. Memphis RB Blake Watson – Redshirt Senior – 5-9, 200 – 4.4
Blake Watson doesn’t have perfect dimension to be a three-down again, however nonetheless was a really productive all-around operating again at Memphis final 12 months the place he earned first crew all-ACC honors. His 480 receiving yards had been close to half the 1,152 dashing yards he compiled to associate with 17 complete touchdowns. Watson’s 4.4 pace doesn’t at all times present on tape as he’s extra of a burst participant than a long-speed menace.
He avoids tackles in a wide range of methods, bouncing off of them, driving via and displaying good contact-balance. Watson’s receiving means as a former vast receiver shall be what helps get him on the sphere. His safe palms and general athletic traits ought to permit him to contribute to an NFL membership 10-15 snaps per sport.
20. Georgia RB Kendall Milton – Senior – 6-1, 225 – 4.62
Milton is a big-bodied banger that was a complementary runner with Daijun Edwards, who was smaller and shiftier. Milton needed to bide his time behind a plethora of different proficient backs at Georgia earlier than seeing extra motion throughout his senior season in 2023. After dashing for 592 yards and eight touchdowns with a 7.0 common as a junior, Milton ran for 790 yards and 14 TDs as a senior, whereas averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Milton got here on for the Bulldogs over the ultimate 5 video games of the season and was extra productive than Edwards. He scored 9 touchdowns over that span and averaged 7.9 yards per carry. He’s at all times had a restricted function within the Georgia passing sport and might want to work on operating routes and catching the ball on the subsequent degree. In any other case he’ll be relegated to a two-down again with short-yardage and aim line conditions being his speciality.
Bucs’ Greatest Bets: Working Again
Bucs’ Greatest Wager – Rounds 1-3: USC RB Marshawn Lloyd
Lloyd is a much bigger again at 5-foot-9, 220 kilos and has nice elusiveness and tackle-breaking means. He starred at South Carolina for 2 years with quarterback Spencer Rattler earlier than transferring to USC the place he performed with Caleb Williams. Lloyd is loads quick with a 4.46 time within the 40-yard sprint, and that pace reveals up on tape, particularly as he accelerates via the road of scrimmage. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022 for the Gamecocks and seven.1 yards per carry final 12 months for the Trojans.
Lloyd would provide a pleasant change of tempo to Rachaad White as he’s a extra pressing runner. And he has good receiving expertise regardless of being underused within the passing sport at each South Carolina and at USC. He solely caught 13 passes final 12 months for the Trojans, however picked up 232 yards (17.8 avg.). He’s additionally a superb purple zone runner with back-to-back seasons with 9 dashing touchdowns. Lloyd was considered one of two backs that had a proper assembly with the Bucs on the NFL Scouting Mix.
Bucs’ Greatest Wager – Rounds 4-7: Georgia RB Kendall Milton
If the Bucs wait till Day 3 to deal with the operating again place, which they could, Milton can be a late-round consideration. Though he ran a 4.62 within the 40-yard sprint, Milton is a banger that runs with good energy and tackle-breaking means. Solidly constructed at 6-foot-1, 225 kilos, he’s a menace in short-yardage conditions and across the aim line, evidenced by 22 dashing touchdowns over the previous two years, together with 14 final season.
Milton offers the Bucs’ backfield extra of a bodily presence, and he’s good in go safety – though he was not used a lot within the passing sport. He had simply 12 catches for 116 yards (9.7 avg.) and one landing out of the backfield at Georgia. Milton comes from a profitable program, because the Bulldogs gained back-to-back nationwide championships from 2021-22, and solely misplaced one sport final season. New Bucs receivers coach Bryan McClendon was on Georgia’s employees the previous couple of years and can vouch for Milton.
