Rachaad White Brings Versatility
May 26th, 2022
Rookie RB Rachaad White.
The more Joe hears NFL analysts he respects talk about Bucs rookies, the more Joe gets stoked for when the pads come on this summer.
Longtime NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell is widely respected in league circles as a researcher with a sharp eye. Earlier this week on the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” maybe the best weekly series of pure football podcasts, Cosell dropped in and raved about the talents of the Bucs’ third-round pick, running back Rachaad White.
“Rachaad White was their third pick,” Cosell began. “I thought after James Cook, I thought he was the best receiving back in this draft class. And I think that was a real interesting pick for them. Because Brady is back, obviously. They are going to throw the ball. You know how much Brady threw it to Leonard Fournette. A lot of checkdowns.
“White is an outstanding receiver at 215 pounds.”
Well, with White on the field, unlike when Ronald Jones was on the field, Joe doesn’t believe defenses will stack the box as much because he is a threat to run, to catch, and even to line up in the slot. A defense might be crazy to load the box on White.
RoJo couldn’t block and more often than not, he struggled to catch. He made himself a one-dimensional back so course defenses stacked against the run for RoJo.
May 26th, 2022 at 6:27 am
Cosell … “White is an outstanding receiver at 215 pounds.”
Don’t like to put too much faith in rookies, but White could become a critical part of this offense early-on if Chris Godwin doesn’t get back until Thanksgiving like some have projected. His ‘measurements’ at the Combine were impressive: 6’0″, 214 lbs, 4.48 sec in the 40 yd, and 38″ vertical. Interestingly very similar to Chris Godwin’s Combine numbers: 6’1″, 209 lbs, 4.42 sec in the 40 yd, and 36″ vertical.
Not at all saying that White will perform like Godwin (definitely wish that’d be true however), but rather that he’s got the POTENTIAL to really excel in this offense. And that could be critical to our SB hopes early this season.
May 26th, 2022 at 7:27 am
We sure are talking a lot, early and often about this kid. I hope he is this good. I almost hate to mention McPlaybook.
May 26th, 2022 at 7:32 am
The more we learn about this draft class….the better it looks.
May 26th, 2022 at 7:39 am
HUGE difference in ability between Rachaad White and Jeremy McNichols. They don’t even belong in the same sentence. One will go on to have a legitimate NFL career. The other really belongs in the USFL, if that.
May 26th, 2022 at 7:52 am
Rookie RB have great chances to hit the ground running and produce !
May 26th, 2022 at 8:42 am
I am very very excited about this rookie!
He is a converted wide receiver, so we know he has good hands, plus he has SPEED!
May 26th, 2022 at 8:52 am
Bubble, tunnel, slip, and any other screen/short-intermediate dump off can be how White butters his bread as a pro. Most of the good tape White put together at ASU, shows he’s a threat in the 2nd level with the patience to let his blocking set up and the ability to slip through arm tackles.
May 26th, 2022 at 9:39 am
Of skilled players drafted, first year RBs tend to do the best. Not sure how many touches the Bucs will give to Rachaad White, but if he can come in on 3rd downs, he might prove his worth as a 3rd round draft pick.
May 26th, 2022 at 9:45 am
He has “it”
Gonna be as much fun as watching Carnell Williams bust runs !
May 26th, 2022 at 9:59 am
I’m excited to see this kid play and hopefully he breaks our streak of drafting bad to average running backs.
May 26th, 2022 at 10:35 am
White’s skillset may shine the brightest when defenses are forced to cover all our other weapons because Brady knows exactly how to use this type of player.
May 26th, 2022 at 10:54 am
I can agree with Joe’s analysis of Rojo. He struggled to block and wasn’t a great receiver…. he was, however, one of the best runners this team has ever seen.
May 26th, 2022 at 11:17 am
One of the best runners this team has ever seen? Um James Wilder, Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn might have something to say about that.
May 26th, 2022 at 11:29 am
Tim – Agree 💯.. Cadillac Williams , Doug Martin , Even Lenny is way better than at running the ball then RoJo !! RoJo had a FEW good runs in his entire career… Lenny has had Multiple good if not great GAMES.. Go Bucs
May 26th, 2022 at 11:37 am
WHITE’S WOW STAT!
In two years, White had 224 carries, 51 receptions
And get this …
ZERO fumbles
May 26th, 2022 at 12:52 pm
I don’t care if White has the skills to be the next Marcus Allen, as Herman Edwards has contended. His weakness is pass pro. He won’t see the field if he can’t pick up a simple blitz. Gio and Lenny are in Brady’s trust circle. Lenny was a liability in pass pro, but worked hard to improve and was longer a liability. Gio is smaller, but he’s the best back in pass pro because of his high football IQ. White should pay attention to what happened to Aaron Jones. Jones was a great runner and pass catcher, but he couldn’t pass block, and Rodgers threw him out of his huddle. Jamal Williams would come in on passing downs. Jones didn’t pout, but he improved his pass pro and eventually became one of Rodgers’ most trusted receivers. So much so that Rodgers only threw to him and Adams during their playoff lost. Lol
If I were him, I would also be proactive. Study video of Kevin Faulk. Text Brady and let him know you’ve been studying Faulk and he thinks he could be that type of reliable back for him. Brady adored Faulk when they play together. It never hurts to be proactive.
I do wonder if we would take advantage of White’s full skill set. We didn’t line Gio in the slot nearly enough. It was malpractice not playing Gio in receiver sets when were down so many receivers. Gio didn’t even see the field against the Rams! We played Brate in the slot when Johnson went down late. This speaks to how Leftwich lacks any creativity with his offensive scheme. Our offensive philosophy is totally dependent on the talent at the WR position. We got exposed when our good receivers went down because Leftwich couldn’t scheme people open to save his life.
May 26th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Saw that too Sly.
Remarkable really.
May 26th, 2022 at 1:03 pm
A great gem in the 3rd….we got lucky, and props to Mr Licht and scouts
May 26th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
Disagree with Bucsfan13, White will immediately be responsible on the pass pro.
May 27th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Kid’s got an NFL ready body. Amazing physique!