Bucs 2022 training camp preview: Running Back
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into the 2022 NFL season with sky-high expectations for the third straight year, following back-to-back playoff appearances, their first NFC South title in more than a decade, and their second Super Bowl victory.
As the Bucs prepare for this year’s training camp, we’re taking an in-depth look at each position group.
Here’s how things look at running back for Tampa Bay heading into this season:
Depth Chart
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
7 | Leonard Fournette
25 | Giovani Bernard
21 | Ke’Shawn Vaughn
29 | Rachaad White
38 | Kenjon Barner
State of the Position
(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
After impressing on back-to-back one-year deals, the Bucs rewarded Leonard Fournette with a three-year contract extension this offseason. Fournette proved last year that he could be a full-time, three-down weapon for Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense, and that shouldn’t change this season.
Ronald Jones II is gone, which leaves Giovani Bernard and Ke’Shawn Vaughn as the incumbents most likely to fight for reps as Fournette’s relief runner. Bernard was injured for much of last season, but brings valuable experience and versatility, while Vaughn has shown flashes of promise over his first two seasons in Tampa Bay.
The wild-card will be Rachaad White, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Arizona State. A smooth, explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands, White particularly excels as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and could immediately challenge Fournette for third-down snaps if he proves he can be trusted in pass protection.
Position Battles
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Vaughn might be the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to spelling Fournette on early downs as a runner, which could leave a battle between Bernard and White for the third-down role.
While it’s easy to assume that the Bucs might prefer a veteran over a rookie in that role, it’s impossible to ignore White’s big-play ability and potential, as well as Bernard’s injury struggles last season.
It’s also possible that with an impressive training camp, White could prove worthy of stealing snaps on all three downs, due to his prowess as a runner.
Final Roster Projection
(AP Photo/Don Montague)
Leonard Fournette
Rachaad White
Giovani Bernard
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
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