Jumping From The (Rushing) Outhouse To The Penthouse
March 10th, 2023
Texas RB Bijan Robinson.
There has been nothing subtle about the messages from Bucs coach Todd Bowles and new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canelas:
The Bucs want to run the ball.
Last year the Bucs stunk running the ball and that’s being polite. They were bottom-of-the-barrel bad. And already the Bucs told their RB1a Playoff Lenny that he is no longer wanted.
So how do you go from rotten to pretty good damn near overnight? You draft the best running back in the draft since Saquon Barkley. And that would be Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
Brendan Donahue of Sharp Football Analysis thinks Robinson is the answer in Tampa.
The Bucs ranked … last in yards per carry, rush yards per game and rushing TDs per game
Bijan Robinson is widely considered a top-five overall prospect in this draft and will likely still be available.
Joe normally does not like the idea of drafting a running back in the first round. This is one of the rare cases where Joe strays from that philosophy.
Robinson is just different. He’s a three-down back who is damn good catching the ball. The way Canales has explained his offense, Robinson seems like the perfect match.
If the Bucs are going to go with competing Kyle Trask, why not get him massive help and draft Robinson.
Joe has nothing against Rachaad White, last year’s RB1b, but let’s call it like it is. He was arguably the best back on the league’s worst rushing team. So what are we really talking about here?
March 10th, 2023 at 4:10 am
There is no way he drops to us at 19. We will have to offer up the keys to the castle to get this guy within the top 3. I agree he is the most complete back I have seen in a very long time. He’s like Barkley without the injury issues However, I will not get my hopes up like I did when I prayed the Bucs would get their head out their butts and go after Barkley during his draft. He will be an amazing addition to any team lucky enough to grab him.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:10 am
Hey Joe, thanks for covering this kid. I have watched him during the combine and I have seen extensive footage on UTube, well done. This kid can flat out play and he has the softest hands I have seen in a while. Now I will be chewing my finger nails off waiting for the number 19th pick. You don’t bypass a gamer like this kid even though the draft is running back rich. This is why I am not in favor of giving the house away including the furniture for Lamar Jackson.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:32 am
No one picks a running back real eariy in the draft we need other positions a lot worse than running back.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:36 am
If he was so good why could Texas barely crack the top 25.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:40 am
No, let’s not go all out for a rb at 19th pick or make ridiculous move up to get a rb. Some of the top nfl rb in current n previous yrs were average rb coming outta college but due to beast of an OL they turned out to be playmakers. We NEED a top OL at this time, rb can be found in latter rounds that result to good rb thanks to top OL. RWhite proved last year that our top priority in draft is not rb. This is just a smoke screen.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:53 am
I believe the Chiefs running back Pacheco was a 6th or 7th round pick.
March 10th, 2023 at 5:58 am
He probably wont go in the top 10 but i think he goes between 10th and 15th pick and no way he is available at 19. Just not happening.
if by odd chance he is there then they should definitely take em!
March 10th, 2023 at 6:04 am
When I put on my GM hat … I try to trade MIKE Evans to Atlanta with our 19th pick for their #8 pick for a run at the best left tackle on the board at the time, plug in DT83 at wide out and go into the second round looking for the best edge rusher on the board….. now get that veteran QB that you need by any means necessary!!!
March 10th, 2023 at 6:07 am
I think Keaton Mitchell out of ECU is like a great value Saquon. Watched some film, he’s a home run hitter seems like he can catch. Probably a 6th rounder. I’d go for him or the kid out of Tulane in the 4th 🤞🤞
March 10th, 2023 at 6:07 am
Yes…I’m talking about going after Lamar Jackson, it’s the way the league is trending!!
March 10th, 2023 at 6:13 am
So Joe, you want the Bucs to draft an Edge rusher, a Left Tackle, a Cornerback and now a Running Back in the 1st round. And where are the Bucs getting these other three 1st round picks?
March 10th, 2023 at 6:23 am
A change in the play calling will help regardless of who the RB is. Running it 90% of the time on down sure did not bring good results.
March 10th, 2023 at 6:24 am
We can trade Evans and Godwin for two number one picks. The Bowles can run the ball more. What an idiot every time we lost or were behind he responded we need to run the ball more. Hes telling the press this why is he not telling Leftwich this he is the head coach. He will do the same thing to Canales. I just can’t believe we have stooped this low to have this clown as head coach.
March 10th, 2023 at 6:39 am
I’m OK with it!
March 10th, 2023 at 6:57 am
I agree with Bucfan, the doofus calling the plays last year was the main problem.
March 10th, 2023 at 6:58 am
That’s a NO NO NO To the Joe(s)…..
March 10th, 2023 at 6:58 am
Didn’t we watch a supposed tank job in Atlanta be super competitive and resilient with a dominant running attack? Spot on Joe, draft a playmaker and figure the rest out later!!!
March 10th, 2023 at 7:05 am
Tap-Out, so you want to trade away an (arguably) future HOF receiver who’s been a buc for life, so that you can get a 1st round pick. First off, good luck getting a top 10 for a soon to be 30-yr WR – did you see the Texans only got a 2nd rounder for Deandre freaking Hopkins in his prime? On top of that you want lamar jackson too.
Well guess what pal, that 1st round pick you just traded for has to be mandatory compensation to the crows if you’re gunna go get lamar jackson right now. 2 1st round picks under the franchise tag.
So there goes your master plan, and plan is really a generous term here for a terrible wake and bake idea. Take your GM hat off, it’s giving the rest of us a headache.
March 10th, 2023 at 7:11 am
On one hand after SO many times of failing to draft a premier RB….I get really excited at the thought of us doing this.
But then I keep thinking of the teams that have won the SB recently, or even the ones at the top-and I can’t think of the teams with THE best RBs really being in contention.
Panthers with McCafrey? Barkley with NYG? Dalvin Cook with Minnesota? Henry with TN? Shoot even Gurley with Rams when he was playing lights out…
None of the teams when they had these top RBs really ever made it to the pinnacle with them. Chiefs drafted a 1st round RB and instead went and won a SB because of their 6th round guy Pacheco.
I just don’t think the value is there in the first round. If we draft him-I’ll be excited to watch him play and do think he’ll make us a better team (similar to the teams I just mentioned)….but I can also see why Licht would pass it up
March 10th, 2023 at 7:12 am
We’re gonna need a dominate running game if we’re going with incapable Trask at QB
March 10th, 2023 at 7:17 am
“If he was so good why did Texas barely crack the top 25.” – lmao. I can’t, I just can’t this morning. The internet is one big help review. People are the worst and have the weirdest things to critique, whine or complain about. I would say this started my day off with a laugh, but it was more of an eyeroll
March 10th, 2023 at 7:24 am
No holes no run. White and Lenny are more than competent RB’s. Changing the faces won’t change the results. It was the predictable play calling and lack of creativity that killed the running game not the RB’s. When a defense knows what your running the game is a little bit easier to say the least.
March 10th, 2023 at 7:44 am
The more film I watch on him the more I want this dude. However I doubt we go this route tbh. There are other non generational talents to be had at rb later rounds. Some real solid players. That being said Robinson is a generational talent and those gems don’t come around often. However rb is the hardest after special teams to draft in the 1st because they don’t last.
March 10th, 2023 at 7:44 am
Tap-Out why on earth would you trade Mike Evans to the freaking Falcons? Darn near fell over reading that
March 10th, 2023 at 7:55 am
definitely a chance he’s there
March 10th, 2023 at 7:56 am
You cant pas him up, if hes still there in the 3rd round.
March 10th, 2023 at 7:59 am
Nah build the trenches
March 10th, 2023 at 8:02 am
The other Texas back Roschon Johnson might be better and 3rd or 4th round.
March 10th, 2023 at 8:08 am
If he is open take him. It would avoid a 1st rnd bust again.
March 10th, 2023 at 8:44 am
I like the kid Gibbs from Alabama nearly as much as this cat. And he’ll be available in the 2nd and possibly even third round. Way too many other more pressing needs than running back in round one.
March 10th, 2023 at 8:59 am
No to Robinson, and yes to Tyjae Spears
March 10th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Bucs would be foolish to waste a #1 on a back.
Premium picks are QBs, WRs, DBs and DL/OL, those are your 1st and 2nd positions to draft.
LB’s, RB’s and TE’s should never be drafted in first round. The Bucs drafted OJ Howard and Devin White in first round. Howard was a bust and White is a good linebacker who has not been a game changer in 2 years.
Last years top 10 rushing leaders were drafted in the following draft position:
(1) undrafted free agent
(1) 4th round pick
(2) 3rd round picks
(5) 2nd round picks
(1) 1st round pick
I don’t believe Jason Licht is dumb enough to draft a back in round 1.
There will be plenty of talent in the middle 3rd or late 2nd if you have to have a back that potentially is a game changer.
March 10th, 2023 at 9:56 am
Forget it Joe. Not happening. Licht will draft the best available offensive or defensive lineman. That’s his MO. He has learned that you can get high quality cornerbacks and running backs in later rounds.
March 10th, 2023 at 10:18 am
Unless some big name player unexpectedly falls to them I do not expect the Bucs to stay at 19.
I think Licht would like to trade back, maybe even a couple of times to pick up more picks to get more cheap young bodies on this roster
March 10th, 2023 at 10:39 am
49ers have eleven mid round picks with no roster holes, im sure they would love to give some up to trade up.
March 10th, 2023 at 11:10 am
great great back and a good dude. problem is we have the worst line in the NFL..
maybe lets fix that first?
Jason gets one good player every third draft, So we might be here a bit.
March 10th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Trade Evans to our division rival so he can destroy us twice a year. That makes absolutely no sense.
March 10th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
No. NOOOO.
Devon Achane. And not in the first round.
Trenches trenches trenches.
March 10th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
The Bucs already have full time 3 down RB, it’s why, in party, they dumped Fournette.
If the Bucs, with so many holes on this team, takes another RB, then I withdraw my statement that Licht should be given a chance to rebuild the team.
March 10th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Savvy coaches can figure out ways to have playmakers make an impact, yes.
March 10th, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Robinson had a very disappointing 40 tard dash time, for such a heralded players.
March 10th, 2023 at 10:55 pm
Ain’t happening Joe
You just wasted 2 minutes of blh blah