Buccaneers Select Top Running Back Prospect in ESPN's Latest 1st Round Mock Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft is less than a month away and that means we are going to be seeing a ton of mock drafts coming out from draft analysts across the country.
Mock drafts are very unique as analysts take different approaches in trying to figure out what all 32 franchises will do come the actual draft on April 27th.
ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum took a slightly different approach putting together his first-round mock draft than most other analysts.
"Draft analysts' mocks are true projections of what they believe will happen based on what they're hearing -- my colleague Mel Kiper Jr. just unveiled his newest last week -- but I'm going a different route with my third annual GM mock. I'm sliding into the general manager chair for each team with a first-rounder and making my own picks. This isn't what I'm expecting but rather how I'd personally approach each Day 1 selection. And what follows is based off my own evaluations, preferences and philosophies."
With Tannenbaum taking the approach from a general manager's perspective, he was able to give a bit more insight into what may actually happen based on what he believes is best for that franchise.
READ MORE: Former 7-Time Pro Bowl Bucs Wide Receiver Suggested to Land with Patriots
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick, Tannenbaum sees the organization bolstering their running back room following the departure of Leonard Fournette in the form of former University of Texas standout running back, Bijan Robinson.
"Tampa Bay has moved on from Leonard Fournette and could land the best running back in the draft with its first-rounder. Robinson is a top-five talent who can score any time he touches the ball. He averaged 6.3 yards per rush as a Longhorn and tallied 33 career rushing touchdowns. Having a dominant running back is a fantastic way to alleviate pressure on the team's uncertain quarterback position, which is currently occupied by Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask."
Tampa Bay's current running back room is headlined by second-year back, Rachaad White, while newly signed Chase Edmonds and Ke'Shawn Vaughn fill the backup roles.
The Buccaneers' RB depth is usually around what teams like to have, but adding a fourth or potentially replacing Vaughn with a higher ceiling, younger back like Robinson would go a ways in completing another level of lethal weapons for either Kyle Trask or Baker Mayfield. The Bucs' intentions in 2023 seem to be geared towards leaning heavily on the run game to take pressure off the quarterback. Snagging Robinson at pick 19 would go a long way in being able to accomplish that.
READ MORE: Baker Mayfield Turned Down Offer From AFC Contending Team
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 offseason.
