Shocking News: Bucs’ White Misses Out On Being Named Among The Elite Group Of Top NFL Running Backs

Rachaad White is regarded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as one of the best running backs in the NFL; others, however, require more persuasion.

Thomas Valentine of PFF placed White No. 26 on a list of the NFL’s best running backs on May 27, indicating that the third-year Tampa Bay player still has to improve if he is to be regarded as one of the best at his position.

With 82.9 running yards per game over the past two seasons, the Buccaneers are lowest in the NFL.

Valentine stated, “White increased his total yards from scrimmage from 771 yards to 1,539 yards in 2023, but his ground game efficiency decreased to 3.6 yards per attempt.” “Yet, with a 67.6 grade, White played a significant role in the Buccaneers’ offense. The second-year pro, who caught 64 catches for 549 yards, had an effect in the passing game similar to (James) Cook and will remain a key component of the Buccaneers attack.

 

Valentine ranked Christian McCaffrey, a running back with the San Francisco 49ers, as the top choice. White was placed ahead of two NFC South opponents, running backs Bijan Robinson (No. 5) of the Atlanta Falcons and Alvin Kamara (No. 21) of the New Orleans Saints.

After earning All-Pac-12 recognition in 2021, White was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft (at pick No. 91 overall) out of Arizona State.

In comparison to his 771 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, White completed 2023 with 1,539 all-purpose yards (990 rushing and 549 receiving) and nine touchdowns.

As the Buccaneers began offseason practice on April 16, White remarked, “Right now, I’m not where I want to be in my career yards per carry and things like that — just being an efficient running back.” “In my opinion, realizing that he is efficient is the most important next step. The effective running backs average at least 4.0–4.1 yards per carry over time—as I mentioned, I watch the game a lot—and beyond.

White was on par with nearly any running back in the NFL until the Buccaneers turned things around at the conclusion of the season and won five out of six games to conclude the regular season.

During that period, White defeated the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers while amassing over 100 yards of total offense in three straight games. It was the first time in 2023 that White had scored touchdowns in back-to-back games.

Bucs added depth at running back in the 2024 NFL Draft
In the fourth round (with pick No. 125 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers added depth at running back when they picked Oregon’s Bucky Irving.

With 13 touchdowns and 1,593 yards of total offense in 2023, he was voted All-Pac-12.

Following the Buccaneers’ selection of Irving, Mike Biehl, Director of Player Personnel for Tampa Bay, stated, “We thought he might go a little bit earlier.” “We brought this guy in for a ‘Top 30’ visit and got to spend some time with him.” He drops to the third day, which surprised us as we believed he may be a second-day choice. I believe that even after we spoke, he still harbored resentment against Jason for calling him earlier and believing he ought to have left sooner. That is kind of what we enjoy. He’s simply another individual with the appropriate type of character that we’ve been pursuing. He is a perfect fit for that kind.

Tony Adame writes about the NFL for Heavy.com, concentrating on the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Commanders. His work has appeared in Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News, and Pensacola News Journal. He has been a seasoned sports writer and editor since 2004.