ESPN draft expert makes odd suggestion regarding Buccaneers' draft strategy
We are officially one week into the month of April, which means the 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner. The annual splurge of mock drafts, player evaluations, strategy discussions, and draft takes will hit its peak in the coming weeks. Smoke screens and misinformation will flood the airwaves and internet in attempts to […]
We are officially one week into the month of April, which means the 2022 NFL Draft is right around the corner.
The annual splurge of mock drafts, player evaluations, strategy discussions, and draft takes will hit its peak in the coming weeks. Smoke screens and misinformation will flood the airwaves and internet in attempts to disguise plans and hopefully alter the draft to where favored prospects fall to the teams that want them most.
And, of course, there will be questionable evaluations and takes that make folks raise an eyebrow or two and/or do a double take.
ESPN's Matt Miller recently had a questionable take on the Buccaneers' draft strategy. Below is what he said regarding the Buccaneers' needs heading into the draft:
The only starter-level needs that remain in Tampa after free agency are at guard and defensive tackle. At No. 27, there is a chance of finding value in either Kenyon Green or Zion Johnson at guard and waiting for a defensive tackle in Round 2.
Depth is a concern on a team that is aging in key positions, but before addressing the trench depth, the Bucs should find a running mate for Leonard Fournette in the backfield. Particularly one with a refined pass-catching game.
It's not Miller's first paragraph that raises eyebrows. It's the second one.
The Buccaneers currently have three running backs on their roster in Leonard Fournette, Giovani Bernard, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Two of the three are locked in past 2022 and the other, Bernard, will have his own role on offense. All three backs will factor into Tampa Bay's offense to some extent in 2022.
Drafting a running back would be for the future and/or special teams play in 2022. Drafting one for the future makes sense considering Bernard is on the backend of his career and Vaughn hasn't shown enough to think he'll be the guy moving forward.
But drafting a running back specifically for pass-catching purposes ahead of adding much-need trench depth is where Miller's evaluation falls flat.
First off, trench depth is typically more important than the running back position, but it's especially more important than adding an RB4. The Bucs need depth on both the offensive line and defensive line. They don't really need to add anything extra to a deep running back room unless the player is too good to pass up.
Secondly and lastly, Fournette proved himself to be a reliable pass-catcher in 2021. In fact, it was a key development in his transition into a true three-down back. He made several key grabs that were also chalked up as highlights in multiple games.
Fournette finished with the third-most receptions in the NFL (69) and the eighth-best catch percentage among running backs with at least 42 targets on the season. His 454 receiving yards were the fourth-most and his 32.4 receiving yards per game were sixth-most among qualifying backs, as well.
And those numbers all came despite Fournette missing the final three games of the regular season. There's a chance he could've led all NFL running backs in receiving in 2021 if he didn't get hurt against the Saints.
Sure, Fournette had some drops in 2021, but overall, he was one of the league's most productive running backs in the passing game.
Bernard also adds to the depth and the pass-catching prowess for the Bucs. Vaughn has shown flashes, as well.
The key factor with all three, however, is they would be head-and-shoulders above a rookie in regard to pass protection. All three players have multiple years of experience in the system.
Unless a major injury occurs, a pass-catching running back wouldn't see the field much, at all, in 2022. Which is why Miller's suggestion to take one ahead of trench depth is a questionable proposition, at best.
Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
