Buccaneers' Undrafted Running Back Looks Ready To Go Ahead Of Training Camp
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running game in 2022 was miserable. In fact, it was one of the worst in the entire NFL. With the running game an obvious area of concern moving forward, the Buccaneers decided to change things up in the backfield by releasing veteran running back Leonard Fournette and the retirement of Giovani Bernard.
READ MORE: Former Buccaneer Leonard Fournette Was Speeding, Racing Prior To Car Catching Fire
With these moves being made, Tampa Bay was left with some holes on the roster to help build out their running back room which consisted of second-year prospect Rachaad White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. White is expected to become the "workhorse" back for the Bucs, but the staff continued to add to the RB room this offseason by acquiring Chase Edmonds.
Edmonds won't move the needle from behind the quarterback, but is a solid depth piece as he still has some ability to shine from time to time.
After being linked to drafting Texas standout running back, Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL draft, the Bucs ultimately stood pat by not drafting a running back at all - instead opting to snag perhaps one of the bigger steals out of the undrafted pool of players in former Syracuse Orange running back Sean Tucker.
Tucker burst onto the collegiate scene immediately upon his arrival in New York putting up the third-most yards (626) and second-most yards per game (69.9) by a Syracuse freshman in 2020. In his collegiate career, Tucker posted 3,182 yards on 589 carries with 27 rushing touchdowns, and added 64 receptions for 622 yards and four touchdowns through the air in three seasons.
The numbers speak for themselves, and after falling down draft boards and eventually out of the draft all together due to injury and durability concerns, it seems that Tucker will be betting on himself to earn the right to join Tampa Bay's roster come the 2023 regular season.
In a recent post to his social media, Tucker is putting in that work this offseason (outside of team activities) to put himself in the best position to compete for a roster spot. It seems that Tucker is ready to do whatever it takes to prove himself and that he plans to silence those doubting him by moving in silence before letting his work and play speak for themselves.
Even more importantly, he looks to be fully healthy after a heart concern kept him from participating in the NFL Combine. Tucker wasn't a full participant during Tampa Bay's OTA or Mandatory Mini-Camp either.
If Tucker is able to indeed tap into what he possessed at Syracuse, then he has a good chance of living up to the hype as a post-draft steal. That would be a welcome sight for the Buccaneers after having to nearly shield their eyes when running the ball last season.
READ MORE: Carlton Davis Says The NFL Is In For a Rude Awakening In 2023
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