The Tampa Bay Buccaneers never really had a ton of money to go out and spend in free agency, but that didn't mean they couldn't be smart with how they spent and still find ways to get better.

It may not seem like it now, but the signing of running back Chase Edmonds could be one of those moves that pays off well down the road.

After a lot of bouncing around over the last few years, Edmonds is a bit of a question mark right now, but there is still some upside here as it relates to the rest of the room.

Edmonds may not be old by NFL standards at 26-years old, but he does look like the veteran in the room for the Bucs RBs in 2023. 

If the run game is going to be a huge focus for Todd Bowles and company next season, you got to have a guy that can be a leader and that brings the experience. Edmonds fills that gap with his five years in the league with three different teams, more than Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

Edmonds will be far from a world-beater as a runner, but he should be a nice change of pace after Rachaad White softens the defense up, and his abilities to catch should help in a room that is losing Leonard Fournette.

Tampa's newest running back has 144 receptions on 188 targets so far during his career, and this consistency and volume could come in handy while earning him plenty of reps as the third-down back in a system that needs to be quarterback-friendly.

The Bucs may still rightfully choose to spend a bit more on this position in free agency or use a pick in the draft, but none of that should impact Edmonds' job. At this point, it looks like Tampa has its RB2 or RB3 set in stone, with upside to take over as the third-down back.