Two More Hurdles For Ke’Shawn Vaughn
March 24th, 2022
Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn
On March 1, Joe formally waved goodbye to Ronald Jones because of general manager Jason Licht’s comments about Jones’ pending free agency.
When Leonard Fournette re-signed this week to a multiyear contract, that made Jones’ departure a reality for nearly the entire fan base. And then yesterday Jones made a free agent visit to the Chiefs.
Perhaps the man happiest about Jones leaving is Bucs running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Jones appears to be a better runner than Vaughn and he wouldn’t have cost a ton to bring back. That would have been an ugly combination for Vaughn’s future in Tampa. Nobody wants to be a No. 3 running back who can’t play special teams.
So Vaughn has cleared the Jones obstacle as he enters his third season in a good place, as the Bucs’ No. 2 back and with Fournette’s respect and appreciation.
Now Vaughn has two more hurdles to clear. He needs the Bucs to pass on drafting running back in the first three rounds and he must avoid Tom Brady lusting for a free agent running back that breaks free.
The Bucs have been sniffing Isaiah Spiller from Texas A&M, who appears to be Round 2 or 3 pick. But maybe that interest has cooled with the re-signing of Fournette.
Joe’s very curious to see whether the Bucs’ draft focus is more about stopping the run or pounding the rock.
March 24th, 2022 at 8:56 am
Our Oline is set for 3 years, plenty of LG options on our roster, WR also set, ILB set, need another edge for rotation/injury, CB is a concern next year, I’d be in favor of drafting a CB in the first 2 rounds, DT is light until Suh resigns, then it’s just like CB, Safety is probably the easiest to draft mid round or sign cheap replacement vets, so drafting a top tier RB this year, giving him exposure without having to rely completely on him, plus injuries to the position, I’d like to see us trade to the top half of the 2nd, pick up an extra early 4th, and draft our Taylor/Dalvin type stud RB
March 24th, 2022 at 9:00 am
I feel like if we bring back Bernard and maybe one other back that can play special teams, we’ll be in good shape for what Brady likes.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:09 am
Licht has lusted over RB’s in the draft in his years here , just has never been able to get his guy, doubt he’ll have the chance this year after Lenny has been signed.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:10 am
don’t sheet in your pants if breece hall is there at 27 and we grab him…
it wouldn’t shock me…
and if he’s there at 60 we’re pulling him off the board
March 24th, 2022 at 9:13 am
It would be nice to have a player like Samuels.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:20 am
I don’t watch too much college football as I work every Saturday. I stumbled across a kid named Tyler Allgeier (?) I believe from BYU. Kid looks legit. Not the fastest kid out there but it seems like he always got positive yards and his hands looked good. Check him out.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Good riddance to Rojo. He was clueless at times and we can’t have that on a Brady led team.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:23 am
We need to focus on defense in the draft…….if we can bring back Gio……perhaps a late round RB/KR/PR…….or an UDFA…..or vet min FA….
We don’t need to spend capital on a RB…..
TE is another matter…..need a good blocking 3rd TE…..other than that, our Offense is complete.
We need DT/DE/CB on defense.and I hope those are our first 3 round picks.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:23 am
It would not surprise me to see the Bucs draft OG or IDL – best player available in round 1.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:38 am
DL, RB, TE, CB in some order (maybe that exactly?)
Also, does Licht dare draft another boom or bust lottery ticket at returner since Darden is afflicted with Dexter Jackson disease?
March 24th, 2022 at 9:40 am
We’re drafting a RB in round 2-4. Book it.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:40 am
I agree with tampabaybucfan. I’d go all defense the first 4 rounds. I’d see if I could an extra ILB with a little speed to replace Minter. I don’t think Stuard or Britt have the speed to fill in and Minter has played a significant number of snaps the last 2 years.
March 24th, 2022 at 9:47 am
Bucs will either draft 2 RBs or sign Giovanni back or a player like Damien Williams Jerick Mckinnon and draft a RB in Rd 2-4.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:23 am
Take Dameon Pierce in 4th. The guy will be a top producer. He was wasted at UF by that moment idiot Mullen.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:36 am
Now that Lenny is back along with Vaughn, I can see us looking for a young, change of pace back that can catch in the draft. James Cook fits this perfectly in the 3rd-4th.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:40 am
I’d like for us to draft a decent TE, apparently they don’t often go on day 1
March 24th, 2022 at 10:53 am
Don’t forget about Gio Bernard as an option, nor Lev Bell.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:56 am
@ModHairKen
Glad to see someone else mention him. I’ll keep on throwing his name out there and I think he’s a realistic target.
He’s got the perfect mentality to play in a Brady-led offense. If he’s out there 3 snaps a game and only asked to pass protect- he’s going to give you 200% on those 3 reps and knock somebody’s head off.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:57 am
^^ Dameon Pierce***
March 24th, 2022 at 11:13 am
I see a really good physical TE in the future. I’ll bet the Bucs are scouting hard and looking to steal one.
March 24th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
The RBs from North Carolina could be sleepers, too! Zonovan Knight & Ty Chandler.
March 24th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
D-LINE, D-LINE, D-LINE IN THE 1ST ROUND….GOTTA GET A STRONG PASS RUSH….LOOK AT THE QB’S (EXCEPT IN THE NFC SOUTH) WE ARE PLAYING THIS YEAR!
March 24th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Its all about defense in this draft. Anyone that can help in the front seven is what the Bucs need. While its an average secondary, average can look good when the other quarterback is being harrassed. DT’s and linebackers that can rush the passer. Another LB to replace JPP. Nelson shouldn’t be starter, find another LB in draft.
Don’t waste a pick on a running back, its not the same level of need as defensive priorities. If any offensive player is to be picked, get another pass protector.
March 24th, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Do, not, draft, a running back… Lenny, Vaughn, and a pass catcher are more than enough
March 24th, 2022 at 5:45 pm
Do.Please. Sign. Or. Draft. A. Running. Back.
Lenny is an average non-power finesse “power back” with no explosiveness, limited tackle breaking ability, and falls easily, with and without contact.
Key Vaughn is promising, but has issues with fumbling and blocking.
This is not a fearsome 1-2 punch. The limits of both Lenny and Key force a committee approach.
Sign a feature back—Melvin Gordon, Marlon Mack, Rashaad Penny—and it’s still a committee until someone proves they can carry the team smashmouth.
Draft a Kenneth Walker/Breece Hall/Zamir White/Dameon Pierce/Isiah Spiller/James Cook, and it’s still a committee. If they go this route, I hope they please get one of the bigger guys. Not the scat 5-9 type.
March 25th, 2022 at 6:19 pm
Draft the best players available at needed
positions. For example DE, LB, DB, TE, OL,
RB/FB and WR. This will add much needed
depth.
March 25th, 2022 at 7:54 pm
Draft defence and keep Vaughn, Bernard an Lenny and we’re good .With the new offense lineman.
March 25th, 2022 at 8:02 pm
Both new offensive lineman are great run blockers,so offensive line should be in great shape running or passing.