Kiper: Bucs Get A Running Back
April 15th, 2020
Mocked.
Eight days before the draft, helmet hair Mel Kiper has another mock (not his last).
And this time, the BSPN dart thrower has decided to go two rounds deep. Kiper has the Bucs picking up a running back in the second round. You may have heard of him. A guy from Wisconsin by the name of Jonathan Taylor.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jonathan Taylor, RB, WisconsinHow about this help for Tom Brady? Ronald Jones II was in and out of Bruce Arians’ doghouse last season, so it wouldn’t be surprising for the Bucs to target a running back on Day 2. Taylor rushed for 6,174 yards in his career, but he also lost 15 fumbles, and that’s how you catch Arians’ ire. Taylor’s 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine was an eye-opener, though, and there’s a chance he’s the top back off the board.
Taylor is a nice back, don’t get Joe wrong. The only thing that spooks Joe about Taylor is he’s worn off a lot of tread on those tires.
Taylor was second in the NCAA in carries last season with 320. In his three seasons at Wisconsin Taylor racked up 926 carries. That’s borderline insane.
Taylor has logged so much work it would be a surprise if he gets a second contract with the Bucs. So he’s certainly a short-term answer at running back.
USF fans may not want to watch his highlight package below. Taylor worked over the Bulls pretty badly.
April 15th, 2020 at 12:11 am
Thanks Joe. I was wondering what hair helmet had for us.
My favorite back is CEH.
Sharing duties with Rojo would keep his reps down, makes the Taylor pick palatable.
In BA I Trust!
April 15th, 2020 at 12:13 am
You only get so much usage from a RB anyway. Tayler in the second would be tremendous value but it almost certainly wont happen.
April 15th, 2020 at 12:29 am
Listen, if a dude takes care of himself I don’t believe you can really try to make an argument about how much tread has been worn. Take our new QB for instance… Brady is the Goat and how old and still proving doubters wrong. You think TB wouldn’t take that young man under his wing and show him the way? Come On Man!!!!!
April 15th, 2020 at 12:58 am
we trade down in the first and take CEH or JT and then get OT in second
April 15th, 2020 at 1:02 am
Helaire or bust. That’s the perfect back for Brady, not Taylor, not Dobbins, not Akers or Dillon. Maybe Swift, but Helaire is still the #1 for this offense and this team.
April 15th, 2020 at 1:13 am
If the bucs elect to go RB take him. Vision vision vision. Thats whats key for great RB’s and this kid has it. He has the top end speed to match. By the way what tread? More than half of his carries nobody can even touch him. Did anyone see him play vs USF. He embarrassed them running up the middle making people miss. Take him we need a first and second down back
April 15th, 2020 at 1:20 am
This is all about the short term now. That’s why when one of the Joe’s talk QB in round 1 or Ruggs, it drives me crazy. Now is not the time.
April 15th, 2020 at 1:23 am
Clyde!
Taylor is gone before our #45 more than likely
April 15th, 2020 at 1:37 am
Taylor at 45 would be the outright steal of the draft. as much as I love this it’s not happening
April 15th, 2020 at 1:53 am
Johnathan Taylor is a beast
April 15th, 2020 at 2:00 am
CEH over Dobbins? i´m fine with anyone of the 5 backs. Swift, Taylor, Dobbins, CEH or Akers.
April 15th, 2020 at 3:28 am
A.J. Dillon …big back is what this team needs!
April 15th, 2020 at 3:53 am
IF our coaches do their jobs with play-design & play-calling, and IF our OLinemen do their jobs with run-blocking, any of the Top-5 RBs in this year’s draft will do just fine. So will RoJo. Bucs can add a ton of flexibility to their running attack IMO by also drafting a big back who can play FB as well as RB, who can catch & who can also pass block. Just for kicks, why don’t we call him AJ Dillon.
April 15th, 2020 at 5:52 am
if u have not seen andre killins jr. you guys really need to watch this kids highlights. every run is a long td where he just burns everyone. the kid may be the best in the draft snd we could nab him in the 4th round!
April 15th, 2020 at 5:55 am
You know, I get that most NE RBs are “no-name” kind of guys but lets not forget that Brady also had Corey Dillon and LeGarrette Blount as well.
Taylor would work just fine.
April 15th, 2020 at 6:13 am
I used to think Adrian Peterson was worn out because of college, but he did pretty well.
April 15th, 2020 at 7:09 am
Wisconsin has always been an OL powerhouse. UGA too with 3 of their guys being mocked in first 2 rounds seemingly. Joes article about Lawrence Phillips spooked me on Taylor and Swift. I’m sure they’re both a nice backs, the stats are impressive for both too. But CEH and Cam Akers feel like better value. If they get 1 of these 4 tho, I’ll still be happy!
April 15th, 2020 at 7:11 am
Im officially off the “RB at 45” train. I just dont understand why people want to replace Rojo after he took such a big step last season. Thats what you are doing if they take a RB at 45.
You dont use 2 top 50 picks in the past 3 drafts to build a RB committee. RBBC is supposed to be a cheaper alternative to a feature back using cheap assets to build. 2 top 50 picks aint cheap folks. And you are doing it at literally the least valuable position on offense lol.
I wouldnt be a fan of drafting a 3rd down back with a top 50 pick. Thats what Arians is describing they want.
Skillset wise, Zack Moss is the right choice. He is bigger and more physical then Rojo, he can pass block, he is a better receiver out of the backfield. And more importantly he could be available in the 4th, so he is cheaper.
Rojo
Zack Moss
Sign a cheap vet (Freeman, Hyde, etc.)
Thats a much better way to upgrade the RB room while still being able to use a premium pick on, you know, important positions like DL or WR.
April 15th, 2020 at 7:12 am
John, I like Killins for a Tom Brady offense too. He has the speed to take a dump-off to the house. He probably doesn’t go until day 3 in rounds 5,6,7.
April 15th, 2020 at 7:30 am
Agree
Adrian peterson has seen some carries over the years and maintained pretty well
April 15th, 2020 at 7:35 am
I’d like the Bucs to pick Zach Moss out of Utah..Big body with speed in his athletic family’s bloodlines.
April 15th, 2020 at 7:45 am
And 100% on board with AJ Dillon. Bring the hammer!
April 15th, 2020 at 8:15 am
“BA likes and perfers bigger running backs like Taylor over dual scatbacks like CEH
Huge Mistake
Taylor is a average runner with terrible hands
CEH is a perfect modern prototype dual threat RB for our 43 year Old Goat
BA/Gump is going to blow this running back draft”
Kobe Faker
April 15th, 2020 at 8:31 am
Agree Joe…Taylor has a lot of mileage..although I won’t be crushed if we select him he’s not my first choice.
Again…I’m for drafting TWO backs. We have the best WR tandem in the league…perhaps the best TE tandem as well…if the backs we draft can catch out of the backfield that’s even more targets. In a class that is deepest in WR’s we can wait to get one much later perhaps even UDFA like Hump or Brate.
I agree with most here…take Clyde in the second and then get Dillon. Agree with Big Hog on this one. If we had ROJO who I still like…and CEH…and Dillon who brings the power and size 6 -250 pounds and has soft hands it’s a nice group of complementary backs.
I’ve seen Dillon run…btw 4.5 speed and he doesn’t get caught from behind. I’ve seen him catch…what I haven’t paid attention to is his pass pro ability.
But at 250 lbs edge rushers are not going to simply rag doll him like they have our other backs.
Three really good RB’s finally FIX what has been a glaring problem for too long now. Assuming of course we get the RT in the first. Haeg is going to be great depth and can start when needed across the line.
April 15th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Wisconsin always have backs that produce big numbers at the college level but never materialize in the nfl. I’d say trade down for more picks for OL then afterwards select Lamical Perine from the Gators. He’s durable, elusive, n proven to be a good receiver out of the backfield. I once thought he was a wide receiver. He is a playmaker who will step up when an extra yard or two is needed for a first down, and time after time will not go down first contact. He consistently proved himself against some of the best defenses in the SEC.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:03 am
I do like what Joe mentions about Cam Akers how he produced despite having a really bad OL.
I do think many college backs have been over drafted because they had superior lineman paving the way for them. I do wonder if this Taylor guy could be a victim of that.
I do not watch much College ball but did check out some Wisconsin games. They were a lot of fun to watch for me. I love watching big physical team. They manhandled many opponents. And I do gotta wonder if Taylor reeped the benefits of that and will fall victim of not having the same luxary in the NFL………In a related note are any of their OL avialable in the draft? They were a great unit last year.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Dmatt……As a rule of thumb. Never draft any RB whose last name starts with the letters Pe…….not even joking. Look it up. 100% bust rate.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:08 am
Wow Joe. I needed that assurance.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Trade down in the first for Delpit, trade up in the second to secure Isaiah Simmons and get a RB. CEH or Akers.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:16 am
Ok so I was wrong because of Adrian Peterson. But I still don’t like that name Perine. It’s a horrible name for a RB. The Redskins already drafted a RB bust with the same danged name.
Name does matter. Let’s not make the same mistake.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:36 am
perine or dillion
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 15th, 2020 at 9:38 am
He fumbles too much. Pass.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Hellaire, Dobbins, Akers or Swift over Taylor.
If we ended up with Taylor I wouldn’t be bummed but Inwoukd be more hyped with one of the other RBs I mentioned.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:48 am
*I would
April 15th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Terrell Davis had some wear and tear on his tires as well…..worked out fine for Elway and the Broncos. We signed a 43 yr old QB to win now….the objective is clear, everything that follows should align with the objective or you’ll get the same mix match of results as we’ve had for the last decade plus.
April 15th, 2020 at 9:56 am
I agree and believe that they may draft two backs. One in the 6th or 7th round assuming they do some trading in the mid rounds and pick up a 7th rounder. While I get the argument that using another 2nd round pick on a RB would be a big investment, I have come around on CEH and think he very well could be the next Alvin Kamara. He seems like the perfect weapon for a Brady led offense.
April 15th, 2020 at 10:23 am
Antonio Gibson. Just as fast, but bigger, with better hands, and much much less wear and tear on the treads. A true running back/receiver, which is exactly what Bucco Bruce is looking for. He could be had in the 4th or 5th, and I would be truly shocked if we didn’t draft him.
April 15th, 2020 at 10:45 am
AJ Dillon is who we want if he slips in the draft… star potential in the NFL provided he has good blocking to run downhill. He won’t shake anyone in the backfield though, not enough lateral quickness for that.
This is not the kind of superstar RB class we’ve had the past few seasons tho… The best RB will probably be somebody we’ve never heard of
April 15th, 2020 at 10:57 am
DalvinCookRules, I agree 100%. He would make a very nice addition to the backfield as a powerback/fullback. Thunder and lightning backfield combo would be nice to see in Tampa again.
April 15th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Unless a 21-year-old has joint surgery, I don’t think you can wear any tread off his tires.
That is more a function of advancing age than youth.
April 15th, 2020 at 7:25 pm
I’d love to get this dude or Clyde with our second round pick. I’m not worried about a second contract because of the recent trend of running backs going south as soon as they get paid big money. Get this dude and take another running back in the 4th or 5th round to split carries. Keep throwing darts until you hit the bullseye Licht! You can’t win the jackpot if you don’t spend the draft capitol dude.
Ronald Jones has shown “flashes” of being damn good, but he is inconsistent as hell. Jameis most recently, but plenty of other Buc’s players from the past have soured me on being patient and banking on potential. You can either play at a high level or you can’t and 3 years is plenty of time to show it. Ronald needs to go if he doesn’t pick it up this year.
April 15th, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Emmitt Smith 2.0?
Sure looks similar running!