BSPN: Bucs Better Off Without Rachaad White
February 23rd, 2025
Might be a tough call.
Joe tries to think objectively, when it’s reasonable to think objectively.
For example, Joe’s mind shuts down if anyone tries to insist NFL teams can win it all without the need of a quarterback or strong production from an edge rusher. Good luck with that.
Joe has a lot of respect for Aaron Schatz, the inventor of DVOA and creator of Football Outsiders (RIP). He now is a force behind FTN Data and still contributes to BSPN.
In his latest offering for the four-letter, Schatz thinks that since Rachaad White is a No. 2 back, his salary (and cap hit) can be put to much better use if the Bucs are hoping to build their roster for a Super Bowl run.
Cut Rachaad White
The Buccaneers enter free agency with only $2.2 million in cap space. They need to make some room and one way to do it is to say goodbye to White. The running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so the Buccaneers can cut him for $3.3 million in cap savings with less than $250,000 in dead money.
White is still a useful player, but he gradually lost the No. 1 spot to Bucky Irving in 2024. White had positive rushing yards over expected, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, but he was far behind Irving. (White had 0.34 RYOE per carry, while Irving was at 0.94.) White was an excellent receiving back, ranking fifth in total receiving value by my DYAR metric, but Irving was eighth. The Buccaneers need to save money somewhere, and this is where it wouldn’t hurt too much.
The more Joe thinks of this the more Joe is open-minded. If the Bucs would use White’s salary to bring in a stud edge rusher, this move has to be seriously considered. Think about it: Who would have more of an impact, an edge rusher who can consistently put heat on and make a quarterback eat dirt regularly, or White being a part-time player?
For Joe, the answer is obvious.
But Schatz is also correct that White is a very dangerous pass catcher. And he can pass block, which many fans overlook. That is a critical trait NFL folks rarely dismiss.
With a new offensive coordinator coming in, the more weapons Josh Grizzard can have to smooth the transition the better. And White, in the passing game, is a weapon.
But yeah, a solid full-time edge rusher or a part-time back? Joe knows which holds more weight.
Getting rid of White only makes sense if there is a major upgrade for an impact player at a defensive starting position.
Maybe the easiest solution is to rework White’s contract, but that likely would require a contract extension the Bucs aren’t interested in handing out.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:06 am
White wants to leave to be RB1 playing with Jayden Daniels.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:08 am
Let me be the first to say this is dumb. He doesn’t run like Bucky or Tucker but he’s still pretty good catching the ball out of the backfield and solid 3rd down backs are hard to find. What happens when Bucky or Tucker get hurt?
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:14 am
White is the team’s best pass catching back and best blocking back, and while Bucky is a star and clearly your #1, he’s also undersized, got injured last year in limited snaps and isn’t yet a good blocker. That isn’t taking anything away from Bucky, but you need a solid backup, and White – with this scheme where he’s not just running up the middle on every 1st down, showed he’s a quality back when he’s not in an ultra predictable offense and gets decent blocking.
Also you’re not saving $3.3m since you still need to sign someone else, and the min salary is around $1m, so you’re saving more like $2m even if you go with the cheapest possible solution.
That’s a hard no from me.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:24 am
It doesn’t make a ton of sense to unload an offensive weapon, unless you’re trading that in for real defensive upgrades. 3.3 mil is not much to be paying a productive RB. And let’s be honest, if you go down to 2 quality RBs, it just takes one play to now be only 1 deep. That’s not a good idea for any team that is strongly committed to running the ball.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:27 am
I agree Munch. Would be totally dumb if they decide to let him go to save peanuts. That little bit of money isn’t being replaced with an edge rusher. They need depth especially at that position especially being Grizzard has stated they will be running the ball a lot. I love Bucky but he’s small and likely can’t be the bell cow all season long plus is still learning how to block. No way I see that as a good move. There are other ways to save 2 mil. Keep him while he is still cheap and next year draft a rb. They have to go all defense in this draft and can’t afford to use it on a rb this season.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:28 am
Yeah 3m is not getting you a stud edge
White could be replaced in a draft like this one but he’s a great pass catching back
Wish they’d teach him some slot routes in the offseason
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:31 am
BINGO! Rod hit the nail on the head.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:41 am
Aaron Schatz … ;The Buccaneers need to save money somewhere, and this is where it wouldn’t hurt too much.’
Money isn’t the problem right now. The Bucs have SIX players on our roster (Mayfield, Wirfs, Evans, Winfield, Vea, Dean) whose CAP hits vary from $35.8 mil to $15.3 mil, and total $155 mil. All of those can be reworked to provide a lot more CAP space.
Buc Voyager & Rod Munch nailed it. What screwed us last season was lack of depth, and especially on defense. Every position group is only 1 injury away from suffering a major loss of production should injury to a ‘star’ occur. No question that losing Bucky would’ve impacted our running game last season, big-time. Same with losing Chris Godwin.
And each one of our #2 & #3 guys in any position group have their own talents to contribute, and thus deserve significant playing time. That way should an injury occur, our offense or defense doesn’t even miss a beat.
Besides, regardless of what Joe or any others want, JL isn’t gonna pay big bucks for an edge rusher. I’m convinced that we will add one, but not a high $$$ one. We can accomplish the same goal (more sacks & more pressure?) by beefing up the interior of our DLine AND also adding a quality MLB who can rush the passer.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:41 am
Don’t touch the offense unless you’re adding to it. A few million dollars won’t be what gets us to the Super Bowl
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:43 am
Plan 9, hainsey, Palmer, and whitehead. Good bye. That should free up some dough….
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:44 am
Then you better not bank on a Super Bowl. It isn’t what Joe wants. It’s what the team needs. Because guess what? Good players at critical positions like an edge rusher cost money.
And if this team with this roster doesn’t have the goal of getting to the Super Bowl, then that’s just damn shame.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:48 am
It would be dumb to cut White just to save $3.2M.
Can’t really find a decent starter at any position for that amount of $ in free agency…. not without getting lucky…..
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:57 am
This team is never getting to another SB until it has a 100% head coach and 100% OC and 100% DC
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:05 am
Nope….unless Godwin comes back (he will) and stays healthy, Evans stays healthy, then we have our #3 in Mcmillan, White is our safety net hybrid rb/wr….
I know we need to save at places so we can afford at other places…but what if Godwin and Evans are injured again mid season?….. na man, we need to keep him.
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:22 am
Any chance we can trade RW to the cowboys for their edge rusher and a second round pick ?
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:27 am
You don’t make your team better by getting rid of good football players. The cap isn’t real so it’s a nonissue.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:04 am
He’s willing to, but maybe not on any of the guys on the market this year. He HAS paid big for an edge rusher — Shaq, but Lichtenstein knew what he had after one explosive year.
The problem with FA spending is that outside of the few real superstars, a lot of guys put up big numbers in one organization, but frequently fall on their face when they switch teams. It’s just a lot riskier..
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:23 am
Joe … ‘if this team with this roster doesn’t have the goal of getting to the Super Bowl, then that’s just damn shame.’
Todd Bowles said fairly recently that the Super Bowl is our goal. But Bowles doesn’t man the team; JL does. And he’s not gonna pay big bucks for a single edge rusher who might produce say 12-14 sacks on the season. We had that (1 season) in Shaq. Gave him a big contract & never say that production again.
Besides Joe, I’m convinced that the way Bowles uses OLBs, he’s perfectly happy if they can (1) play the run solidly; (2) maintain contain for the edges, and (3) provide enough pressure to keep opposing QBs from eating lunch in the pocket.
Our best years defensively under him were when we had a beastly interior DLine exerting pressure (Vea, Suh, RNR, Gholston) and I believe that drove the QBs into the arms of the attacking edges. Shaq had his 19.5 sacks in 2019 plus 10 sacks in 2021, the 2 years with Vea, Suh, RNR, Gholston in the center with JPP on the other edge. Those were the only 2 years that he saw double-digit sacks.
Recreate that quality of interior rush and Diaby is good enough to approach double-digit sacks. And so is Kancey playing a DE role. Bucs NEED one more interior beast to complement Vea (we never adequately replaced Suh or RNR).
February 23rd, 2025 at 3:49 am
Sorry Joe but depending on two sub par guys to block blitzers puts that indispensable QB you mentioned in too much jeopardy of spending the night in the ICU. There were already scary moments last season when Bucky tried but failed. So Until Buck and Tuck can Block? Coaches! Get them up to speed! Then we can talk trading White.
Go Bucs!
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:37 am
Bad idea.
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:40 am
Joe….. ffs have you considered just naming the site “Bucs need a edge rusher.com” Like WE GET IT!
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:42 am
It’s a article about our 2nd RB surly I won’t get hit over the head with edge rusher talk here…….WRONG!
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:42 am
It’s nearly impossible to maintain a consistent running game with one feature back. Many have sustained year ending injuries. McCaffrey is just one example, that has had a number of injuries that affected his availability and he is built like a brick $hithouse. Even the durable Adrian Petersen could not escape season ending injuries. One other thing to consider is if you rly on one back too much,
teams will try to shut down that weapon down,much like the chiefs did to Saquan Barkley in the Super Bowl.
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:54 am
Cut him? Hell no. RBs get injured too easily, and he’s quality on passing downs.
But if a team wanted to come in and offer up a (round 3-4) pick for him… yeah, ok. Let’s talk.
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:55 am
On the fence about Rachaad being cut. Give him another season while building the defense. We also need a punter too.
February 23rd, 2025 at 5:18 am
No. We need to keep Rachaad.
Although, I see your point, Joe.
As others have mentioned, and I’ve said it before, too. Bucky is a bit undersized and is not nearly the blocker that Rachaad is. And he did get hurt a little bit last year.
I don’t mean that as a knock against Bucky.
If anything, Josh Grizzard needs to find ways to get Rachaad involved more often. Sean Tucker too.
That’ll save some wear and tear on Bucky and give us more offensive weapons.
February 23rd, 2025 at 5:53 am
Don’t cut him. Trade him. Buck &Tuck can get it done with an added rookie or signing for depth. Use trade value to improve defense at CB or Edge. BUT do NOT just cut him. Too much of a weapon.
February 23rd, 2025 at 7:19 am
The question is are we going to resign him….if not, trade him for some picks or defensive help. Licht tends to lack in this area of getting some value from guys that they’re not going to resign. White’s value is likely at its peak….another season as the backup and there’s not much chance of getting a compensatory pick. Probably could get a 3rd for him, he’s perfect for a young QB that needs a good blocking RB on passing plays.
February 23rd, 2025 at 7:20 am
Agree with Rod 100 percent.
Disagree when Joe says that the only way for the Buc’s to get to the Super Bowl is to pay big bucks to an edge rusher.
I’ve been on the site when the Joe’s have said the only way to get to the Super Bowl is to have a better running team. We won the Super Bowl with Brady and the gang without an effective running game.
Really, more than any other pro sport, the NFL shows that there are lots of different paths to be a successful NFL team. There is not a one size fits all approach you have to do to win a Superbowl. It is still at best a 1 in 15 chance to get there.
Did any of the last 7 Super Bowl winners have a dominant edge guy?
It seems most times that their inside DT talent has exceeded their outside DE talent.
February 23rd, 2025 at 7:26 am
Isn’t Whites value for a trade likely as low as it can get.
This 2025 draft class is loaded with quality running backs more than any class in the last 10 years. So when looking at acquiring White, there will be less GMs interested because many would be focused on at least 5-7 guys that they could get on Day 3 that would actually fit their scheme and needs.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:07 am
Cutting R. White would be foolish but trading him might make sense depending on the deal. Sean Tucker is a better, faster runner and can catch the ball. No idea if he can block and obviously need to see that. I respect White’s receiving and blocking, and he’s durable. Just not a formidable runner.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:12 am
Aaron Schatz shat the bed with this take. It is insanely stupid, for all the reasons detailed in the comments above.
We needed White, Bucky, and Tucker last season and we will need them this season as well.
Getting rid of White, who is the best blocking RB on the team and an elite receiving back to save a couple million is the stupidest thing I’ve heard so far this off-season. Aaron Schatz should go work as a GM for the Saints.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:30 am
Not sure if this possible, but it would be great if the Bucs can get a 6th or 7th round draft pick for White.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:32 am
White is an “ I’ll tolerate you until I can replace you” guy. When he’s good he’s really good, but he’s sucked on 75% of his plays since he got here. We need an ILB more than a pass rusher. I like the Wagner move.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:43 am
Is he not tradeable?
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:51 am
No to cutting White. I would consider a trade for a defensive player, and pick up a RB in late rounds or UDFA. In this past camp, DJ Williams looked good and his film showed a lot of power at 225lbs – maybe Skip Peete likes him enough for the Bucs to trade White.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:53 am
All of the above pros and cons are spot-on, and make this a very difficult decision (*IF* the Bucs are even considering it). But one more issue needs to be addressed. White will be a free agent next year. If this year follows in the footsteps as last, he will look for a team that offers him the #1 RB spot, and the Bucs will get *nothing* in return. So, this year is their last chance to receive a draft pick for him *and* make sure he goes to a team where he stays out of the NFC South.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:05 am
This is a dumb idea, White had a very underrated season last year and the Bucs run game took a significant hit when that Clown Coen put him in the doghouse after the Cowboys game….
The Bucs should’ve been splitting the load between backs the entire season instead Coen started force feeding a undersized rookie and teams figured it out.
White doesn’t get the respect he deserves from coaches/fans, he’s a quality RB2.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:07 am
Quality depth is a hallmark of Super Bowl teams-keep White
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:15 am
If it wasn’t for the emergence of Sean Tucker, I wouldn’t entertain trading White. While White has improved last season, Tucker has the breakaway speed and has a better upside than white.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:39 am
Coen screwed up the offense at the end of the season when he took White out of the game plan- a big reason Bucs’ point production went down at the end.
With Irving, White and Tucker, Bucs had fantastic run game- why would you change the personnel?
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:42 am
Presently I think white is too valuable
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:45 am
All I know is Tucker needs to be more involved. Dude is a stud.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:50 am
Now is the time to dump White. He’s by far the worst runner of the group, Tucker needs more reps. Trade White for whatever pick you can get, save the $3.2M. This RB class is so deep you can get a guy who would ordinarily be a 3rd/4th round pick in the 5th or 6th round. Now you have that player under contract for 4 years at near the minimum. White is leaving this time next year anyway.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:57 am
I would consider cutting J. Whitehead over R. White…
Dude had a rough season then tore a pec muscle toward the end of it.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:59 am
J. Whitehead = $4.5M in savings with zero dead cap money.
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:02 am
Yeah, but what about edge rush?
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:06 am
Stupid Idea! One injury away from being short handed. National media types mostly know nothing. Why purposely weaken a position of strength for a maybe. Disappointed in whichever Joe was open to this nonsense!!
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:30 am
I would include White in a trade package for a premier edge rusher. He must have some trade value as a great 3rd down back
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:37 am
Uhhh no.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with Bucky just yet. He could have a down year in 2025 and this run game will look much different.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:25 am
There’s all this talk about what Sean Tucker can’t do but whenever he’s in the game he looks pretty damn good. And White’s YPC was in the toilet compared to Irving and Tucker.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:27 am
We absolutely have to keep white yeah you want an edge rusher but you know what beats an edge rush a quick pass to the freaking flap to the running back and white is elite plus Bucky Irving. I’m not sure how long he can last endurability we need depth and tell me this. How are you gonna feel if Bucky Irving goes to the Panthers and starts carving us up no no no no Keep white
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Tucker was grossly underused last season. If he can improve his blocking, he’d be an upgrade over White.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Sean Tucker hauled in 37 passes during his last year at Syracuse.
There’s your new third down back.
Cut White, save the money to throw at a FA, and get a RB in the later draft rounds.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:56 pm
How did the Bucks offense look without white for the last four games of this season? They struggled in all four, lost 2 games and almost lost the third.
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:01 pm
Bucky and Tucker needs to be our RB’s 1 and 2. We can live without white.
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Something you don’t often read anywhere – cut someone on a rookie salary to save cap money – LOL.
You cut overpriced veterans on their 2nd or 3rd contract who do not have huge dead cap hits, not someone who is the lower tier of salaries! A trade of either would be far better, of course!
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Great draft for running backs. If you want to save some cash and dump him before he walks for free this is a good year for it. You’ll lose a defensive pick getting an RB but if you’re picking up an edge in FA it’s the same difference. Better get a guy who can pass pro however. White was by far our best. Baker was duck and cover with Bucky in there.