Buccaneers Select Running Back Rachaad White In Round 3
April 29th, 2022
UPDATED 11:05 p.m. – More competition has arrived at running back.
The Bucs just drafted a guy who ran for 1,000 yards last season at Arizona State. Rachaad White was the Bucs’ pick tonight with the 27th pick of Round 3.
Interestingly, White isn’t considered much of a special teams prospect and he’s not known for exceptional hands. He’s more of runner at 6-0 and 214 pounds, with 4.48 speed in the 40 yard dash.
White did catch 43 balls last season for 456 yards and a touchdown through 11 games. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry en route to that 1,000-yard season on the ground. The former junior college All-American has worked his way up from starting his college career in Division II.
Joe suspects no expert will call White a “steal” here. But those experts are wrong every year.
JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan was all fired up about White during his Senior Bowl preview podcast. He led all running backs in that game with 11 carries for 52 yards against a very impressive defensive front full of top-tier talent.Sull
Sullivan likens White to Le’veon Bell and says White can pass protect.
April 29th, 2022 at 10:58 pm
Here is the skinny on him
Strengths
White had a breakout season in 2021, recording over 1,400 yards and 16 total touchdowns on 225 touches. He rushed for 1,006 yards on 182 carries, and tacked on 43 catches for 456 yards through the air. He was a layered weapon for the Sun Devils in both the running and passing game, as a tempo runner and a consistent screen buster.
A patient and lengthy runner, White was able to achieve excellent production as a three-down back last year. He has long legs that have some bounce to them, and allow him to have a unique runner’s tool box, with strong cuts inside, powerful spins, and an often-used hurdle. He builds up behind the line, allowing the blocks to set up in front of him, and then goes full sprint through the hole or to the outside. His moves in the open field are impressive, and while his top-end speed might not be elite, he can work his way out of tackles or simply muscle through defenders when needed.
As a pass-catcher, White displays the same patience that makes him successful as a runner, selling screens with sneaky-slow pacing before nabbing the ball with clean hands and shooting into the open field. On swing passes, he allows his blocks to set up cleanly, and navigates traffic with ease. His hands are natural and effortless, making him a reliable target out of hte backfield.
Weaknesses
White lacks the second gear to burst through the seams of the defense once into the open field, and can get caught when the play was set up for him to score. His burst won’t scare anyone, and could be relatively easy to contain at the next level.
His upright running style, while nice for cutting and leaping, leads to a less than ideal contact balance. If you get your hands on him, he generally goes down on first contact. He’ll need to get lower to the ground, and add some strength to power through tackles more consistently.
He also needs work in pass protection, where he struggled against the blitz, especially when facing bigger rushers.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Ronald Jones II
April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Hey look they replaced Ronald Jones with this guy. Neither one of them have good hands smh.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
I trust JL, but this one is a real head scratcher. It doesn’t sound better than ROJO nor is he known as a pass catcher from what I am reading.
I could be completely wrong, but I am just not seeing how an average RB was a good selection.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Gentlemen we just drafted my favorite running back an entire draft, we just drafted Eddie George upright running style Amazing handshands he’s going to be a star The former wide receiver can lineup in the slot and at running back he will be instant favorite of Tom Brady
April 29th, 2022 at 11:01 pm
This whole lengthy assessment is wrong up top , he definitely has a second gear .. ppl gotta watch film instead of copy & paste … great pick
GoBucs!
April 29th, 2022 at 11:01 pm
This one is a true head scratcher
April 29th, 2022 at 11:01 pm
Most of it sounds pretty good. I’m not worried about the struggling in pass protection bit because every single rookie running back does. He can run and he can catch, that part’s great. Doesn’t have elite top end speed but that’s OK, watch his highlights, he’s plenty fast enough.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
@Sean Sullivan
I will have to trust your perspective and hope he is what you say.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Looks like he can catch so that’s good. Just looking at his highlights he does look slow but we’ll see. We still need a DB or two…
April 29th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
43 catches for 456 yards
April 29th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Why do people keep saying he’s not known as a passcatcher? He was a former receiver. In the last two years he’s caught almost 70 passes.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:03 pm
Good Information Sean Sullivan! I was unaware he used to be a wide receiver! Brady will Love Him !
April 29th, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Ok I will eat my crow, his highlights show he is a good addition to the passing game.
Looks like ROJO with pass catching skills
April 29th, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Maybe the difference between him and ROJO is that he isn’t a head case.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Again i Am fine with licht but someone in his inner circle needs to stand up and say this player will be available next round. Man he is reaching all draft. He could trade back and grab every guy this year s draft
Im guessing their first few “plAnned” picks went out the window and he panicked. He must not be a good poker player. I mean dude this running back was rated way lower.
I will say though with upright running style and size and studder , i thought i was watching leveon bell
April 29th, 2022 at 11:08 pm
Sean
With your endorsement, Rachaad will have at least a fighting chance to prove himself to our skeptical fan base.
I choose to trust Licht until proven wrong….
April 29th, 2022 at 11:08 pm
Hope you’re right Sean!
April 29th, 2022 at 11:08 pm
He was going to passing routes on Some Downs
You could have Leonard Fournette and rachaad White on the field at the same time. Rachaad White runs official 4.48-second 40-yard dash at 2022 combine.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:09 pm
The bleacher report profile of this guy is almost the exact opposite of the first one posted. Claims he has very good hands and is a willing blocker. Claims he can make most any catch. Interesting contrast.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:09 pm
A very solid pick. Nothing to complain about here.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:09 pm
>Paid a running back
>have a cheap running back on a rookie deal
>reach and draft one
……..man I was really liking this draft until right this second.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Joe writes,, “Interestingly, White isn’t considered much of a special teams prospect and he’s not known for exceptional hands.”
I read the opposite….he has elite hands and considered to be one of the best catching RB in this year’s draft.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Mike in Arkansas Says:
April 29th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Ronald Jones II
^^^^^^^^^
They say this guy can catch the ball. Ron and Vaughn did not.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
Do not like this pick in the third round.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:12 pm
Bucs need to be faster , You have No Tight Ends ……. You had the opp to have 3 second round picks and get the best TE and still basically match what they did ……….. I just think this thing is run by non thinking Jocks and they are lucky real brains don’t run the draft . These guys sit in the room and really convince themselves they did something ………. are you to tell someone the Bucs couldn’t
have had a much better draft had they traded back with the 2 nd day 1 st pic ……. mind boggling absurdity ……… oh boy the trade yesterday forced Hall and then you give up 1/2 of what you got to move up and get that lineman that prob would
D hv made it 15 more pics
April 29th, 2022 at 11:12 pm
What does it take for a RB to have good hands?????
He had well over 400 receiving yards last year! He’s not a WR…
April 29th, 2022 at 11:13 pm
We will see. But not sure he is a good blocker.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:14 pm
@David you’re not worried about pass protection?! Are you kidding me?! Rojo was benched because he nearly got Brady killed. Are you even a Bucs fan
April 29th, 2022 at 11:14 pm
which car will you be selling the kid when he gets his first couple paychecks sean ?
🙂
April 29th, 2022 at 11:15 pm
I have no complaints on taking him. Our starter could go down to an injury at some point this year or next. After that, we need competition.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:16 pm
Devin White got the Lambo
I’m going to go with bronco Raptor
April 29th, 2022 at 11:17 pm
I wanted Robinson, he went a few picks later….but i’ll do some research on this guy…..at least they got the position right.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:17 pm
I think our defense is going to suck if they don’t get a D tackle!!
April 29th, 2022 at 11:17 pm
I’m not going to question the player…..but I will question the pick……we simply didn’t need to pick a RB in round 3……perhaps 4 or 7….
We need another CB…..DT……TE
Hard for me to believe that White will see much playing time behind Lenny & Keyshawn…..
April 29th, 2022 at 11:19 pm
Let’s remember that he played against PAC-12 teams and not SEC. Temper your enthusiasm. ROJO looked good on tape also against PAC-12 teams.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:19 pm
Will Lenny delete all of his pics from his social media?
April 29th, 2022 at 11:20 pm
Sean Sullivan is a legit talent evaluator; Amway Joe is a heck of a huckster/soap salesman. There’s room for both here.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:21 pm
This is some Haergraves and Spence 2.0
April 29th, 2022 at 11:21 pm
Reading up on White shows a lot more promise than first impressions. He looks like a really good prospect for coaching up. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he makes defenders miss and gets positive yards. He can catch really well and that is something we need.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:25 pm
we are not exactly having a sexy draft this year…
but it doesn’t mean we aren’t adding talent…
it’s getting late, but it ain’t over till the fat lady slings (dat pudding)
April 29th, 2022 at 11:25 pm
Wish we drafted Hall. I’m tired of these no name mediocre backs.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:29 pm
I am so tired of hearing about Senior Bowl performance, watch the real game film. It is easy in some positions to look really good going against the other side that has little time to work together.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:37 pm
This guy reminds me of Laveon Bell.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:40 pm
Better hands than Robinson….i see why now
April 29th, 2022 at 11:43 pm
Wilder 2.0.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:55 pm
Doesn’t “his hands are natural and effortless? Mean he can catch well?
April 29th, 2022 at 11:56 pm
Watch the video. The guy can play.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:59 pm
Licht is killin it! These 3 are all proven players, not prospects. Saw a lot of MAC. Goedeke stood out, great player.
April 30th, 2022 at 12:02 am
Hey David, you might not care about ass protection but i bet Tom Brady will
April 30th, 2022 at 12:07 am
@Alvafan Seriously! The pass pro from our RBs were suspect. Lenny improved, but they let too many free rushers get to Brady
April 30th, 2022 at 12:13 am
Whoops that was supposed to read “PASS” protection😉
April 30th, 2022 at 12:22 am
@Sean Sullivan
I like this pick as well, but based on everything I’ve seen, Eddie George is an awful comp for him. Eddie George may have been an upright runner but he was also a bruising power back known for breaking tackles and picking up yards after contact. And White, well, he’s not that.
There have been lots of upright runners that he compares better to. Strangely enough I’d say his best comp at this point would be Charles Sims. Which aint necessarily a bad thing. Sims was a competent change of pace back in 2015 before he forgot how to play football.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be what Sims was supposed to be an end up being Matt Forte 2.0
April 30th, 2022 at 1:18 am
Deebo type RB/WR. Not bad. Like this draft.
April 30th, 2022 at 3:01 am
I hate this pick. Another offensive pick, when the defense still needs new talent badly. WASTED PICK.
And I don’t like Rachaad White. He runs high and upright with straight legs, doesn’t have much lateral quickness, isn’t sudden at all, is more smooth and long striding than explosive. Lean and light, low power. Like Lenny, he will go down quickly with contact. His tape from the combine was awful. Clumsy cuts, dropping passes.
Why? Why so high in the draft for this guy? There were better backs available (B Robinson), and plenty of better all-around backs further down, cheaper, who would provide even better.
What’s his role going to be? Gadget? Change of pace? He’s not so special to merit such a high pick.
This draft is a dud so far. Hall is okay, but raw. Goedeke, okay, but a possible reach, and there were defensive needs that could have been met with his pick.
R White, just an awful pick.
April 30th, 2022 at 6:45 am
He looks good on paper but if hes going to ride the bench like Vaughn why waste the pick he could have been picked in the fourth round.
April 30th, 2022 at 9:23 am
i like this kids vision and patience. Floor= Charles Sims, ceiling= Lev Bell. I’ll take those odds and he played well vs USC….
April 30th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Brady once had a pass-catching back named White. I like this kid’s tape. Although he seems to stride high and glide, he sure breaksdown and has quick jump-cuts and stutter-steps resulting in a few broken ankles. I like how he sets up his blocks downfield. One can debate the value of the pick, but seems to be a good player. Pair him with Lenny in a 2-back set some, and defense won’t know who to stop, opening up the middle for play-action. Solid player.
April 30th, 2022 at 10:07 am
so yeah, maybe they secretly are not too high at all on sneak vaughn
April 30th, 2022 at 10:08 am
^^^^^
if he at all is a “deebo type”……dang that’s gonna be exciting 🙂
April 30th, 2022 at 10:09 am
if he’s *