Only Two First-Round Running Backs
April 18th, 2020
An ex-Bucs quarterback and NFL assistant coach weighs in with his top 5 backs.
The Bucs need a good and versatile running back in a bad way, assuming they want to make a Super Bowl run this season.
Stop freakin’ thinking of NFL longevity when it comes to extremely talented running backs, says former Bucs QB and Patriots assistant coach Chris Simms in the NBC Sports video below.
It’s one reason he believes it’s unwise to undervalue electric workhouse running back Jonathan Taylor, who had 926 carries over the past three seasons at Wisconsin.
Worrying about whether Taylor will last eight seasons is outdated thinking, Simms says, adding Taylor is one of two first-round-worthy talents in next week’s draft.
The best running back in the draft, per Simms, and the only other with a first-round grade? Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of Louisiana State University.
“I just look at him and go, ‘Wow, I’m watching Mark Ingram or Ray Rice but with better quickness.'” Simms said of Edwards-Helaire.
“He has that type of power but in the open field he’s electric. He can break ankles. He can re-accelerate in three steps. He’s got pretty good long speed; don’t be fooled by the 4.6 [second 40-yard dash time.]”
Simms added that Edwards-Helaire is an elite third-down route runner while still being a strong between-the-tackles runner … “he fits anything any offense would want to do.”
J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State), Zack Moss (University of Utah), D’Andre Swift (Georgia), are ranked by Simms as Nos. 3 through 5, respectively, in the draft.
Many think Edwards-Helaire will be waiting for the Bucs at No. 45 overall, midway through Round 2 on Friday. It’s getting harder to believe.
April 18th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
The more hype I hear about him the more I think there’s no way he will last to round 2. Never thought McCaffrey would go that high… But he was worth it. It wasn’t until right before the draft he shot up. I see ceh much the same and seeks to be one of the top backs
April 18th, 2020 at 1:48 pm
Best RB in the draft, it’s a must to get him in 45, he’s a monster if you watch him in LSU and also a Buc fit
April 18th, 2020 at 1:56 pm
As long as it is not a 1st round pick at 14 I am fine with a rb. I think a high pick on dt or ot is more important and the talent drop-off is much bigger at those positions. But if a 1st rd talent is there in the 2nd, get him.
April 18th, 2020 at 2:05 pm
DELUSIONAL THINKING ABOUT RB @ #45.
It ain’t happening.
Swift, Taylor, Helaire, Akers will all be LONG GONE by the time the Bucs pick at #45 in the 2nd round.
It happens every year… there’s a run on RBs in the top half of the 2nd round. Add that to the fact that teams KNOW that the Bucs desperately have to come away with a RB, they’ll trade up above #45 if they want a back in the 2nd.
If the Bucs wait until the 2nd round to draft a RB they’ll be getting the 5th, 6th, or worse ranked RB in this draft.
It’s just too much of a risk for a team in “Win Now” mode. Any other year you try and find diamonds in the rough in rounds 3-4. But this isn’t that year. Your odds drastically go down with trying to find a game-changer in the mid 2nd or later.
Bucs will NOT get Taylor or Helaire if they wait until their 2nd round pick. It’s just not happening.
The best move for the Bucs is to take the RB of their choice at #14. Own it. Come away with the best RB in the draft.
In the 2nd round, take the best OT which there will still be plenty. If you feel you have to, trade back up into the bottom of the 1st to grab a specific OT.
IT’S RUNNING BACK IN THE 1ST OR BUST.
Book it.
Bucs are NOT going to wait until past the 1st round to draft a game-changing RB for this offense.
April 18th, 2020 at 2:07 pm
If he is, great! If not Cam Akers.
If for some crazy reason, Swift is available, TAKE HIM.
He is absolutely first round talent.
I think Helaire drops because he’s not very big. Who cares though, he’s outstanding.
April 18th, 2020 at 2:11 pm
CLYYYYYYYYDE!!
April 18th, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Clyyyddeee at 45, only 1 RB will be drafted in 1st round
April 18th, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Trade down and get Helaire lower in the 1st round. The Bucs deserve a premier running back. We waited long enough. We have settled long enough. Let’s get the best RB in the draft. With an elite receiving crew. a great running back
and a HOF QB we will get this done. No compromises this year. This year of all years. Get her done!!! GO BUCS!
April 18th, 2020 at 2:49 pm
For the exception of trading one of our 4ths to move up for the right player, I think we should stay put and take what comes……
April 18th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
@Elita Vita … “The Bucs deserve a premier running back.” I agree, but that premier RB also deserves an OLine that can block for him. Just like Tom Brady deserves an OLine that can block for him. Tackle in Rnd 1, RB in Rnd 2.
April 18th, 2020 at 2:52 pm
You can’t even consider a RB at #14. However, if you trade down into the early 20’s, then maybe.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Clyde will be there at 45, let protect our 43 year old quarterback first, he should be the priority, we need OL more than anything and Dobbins, Clyde or Akers will be there at 45
April 18th, 2020 at 3:04 pm
If he’s there at 45 we have to pounce. Even ok with trading back from 14 and taking him late first round, dude is going to be a superstar!
April 18th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
no o-line in 1st round since 2006 with Davin Joseph(unless you count OJ Howard lol). It’s time to get a premier offensive lineman in the 1st.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
We have a premier rb in ROJO. Need a power back like Dillon. Watch “Ronald Jones II || 2019-2020 Season Highlights || Tampa Bay Buccaneers” on YouTube
https://youtu.be/5VYisk4B4E. We have a dam good running back who might just need more opt.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Taylor looks like the best back to me.
1) Taylor Wisconsin
2) Swift Georgia
3) Akers Florida State
4) Edwards-Halaire LSU
5) Dobbins Ohio State
April 18th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Taking RB at 14 would be a monster mistake. Analytics show this over and over again, positional value isn’t there. Look at how bad Leveon Bell was on the Jets, but Steelers plugged in James Conner, a 3rd round pick, and he produced similarly to Bell in Pittsburgh.
Grab the best tackle available, there will be a top 5 OT there (Josh Jones being #5). I could see the Bucs trading up in the 2nd to ensure they get the RB they want. Or they might wait, and I’m sure they will be able to get Akers there. Akers seems to be the most underrated RB at this point, but I believe he belongs in the conversation as one of the premier backs in this draft.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
I like Akers in this offensive.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Taylor have a lot of issue that will affect his stock, his fumbles worries everybody, Clyde is the best fit for Bucs
April 18th, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Edwards-Halaire of LSU concerns me a little bit.
I wonder if his brilliance in College will translate to the NFL ?
At LSU, their opponents had to be worried by that crazy passing game, making a whole lot of opportunities for Edwards-Halaire.
His size, and lack of real speed concern me. Remember, he only ran a 4.6 40
I think I would go with Taylor of Wisconsin, and I would not take either of them, in the first round.
IMHO, a Tackle should be our first choice.
Remember, had we taken Dalvin Cook instead of OJ Howard, we would not be having this discussion ?
April 18th, 2020 at 3:43 pm
I’m hoping we get Swift. I think he’s going to be the best pro. Time will tell.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:45 pm
Ivan The Insider,
If you truly think that all 4 of those RB’s will be “long gone” by the time our #45 pick comes, you really should consider re-learning the word “long” and how it applies. That’s truly silly.
Will they all be gone? They could be. But “long gone”. Absurdity!
April 18th, 2020 at 3:48 pm
@soberinsac Swift is projected in the first round and will never be at 45, Bucs can’t afford not to draft an OL in first round because of our QB need to be protected at all cost, you don’t want him to be injured after 3 matches so we will be drafting a RB at 45 and Clyde, Taylor (he has fumbles issues) and Dobbins will be there and I expect us to take CEH.
April 18th, 2020 at 3:48 pm
I’d be happy with Dobbins at 45.
April 18th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
RB at 14 would be fun. You know what comes with a 1st round RB? Expectations!!!
And for those worried about protecting Brady a great way to protect him is not only give him a running game. Also give him a safety valve to dump off passes to. This dude could provide both.
GO BUCS!!!
April 18th, 2020 at 4:09 pm
RB at 14 is absurd and I don’t see it happening
April 18th, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Ivan The Insider Says:
April 18th, 2020 at 2:05 pm
DELUSIONAL THINKING ABOUT RB @ #45.
It ain’t happening.
Swift, Taylor, Helaire, Akers will all be LONG GONE by the time the Bucs pick at #45 in the 2nd round.
It happens every year… there’s a run on RBs in the top half of the 2nd round. Add that to the fact that teams KNOW that the Bucs desperately have to come away with a RB, they’ll trade up above #45 if they want a back in the 2nd.
I am ok with the 1st part of your statement that you think the 4 guys will be gone. Many have Dobbins from Ohio State in a top 5. Most guys I see rank him above Akers.
But I do not think your 2nd part is supported. “It happens ever year”
I do not believe that 4 or actually in this case 5 running backs go in the top 45 picks every year.
April 18th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
3 out of the top 5 Rb will be there at 45, ol
Pretty sure about that
April 18th, 2020 at 4:15 pm
3 out of the top 5 Rb will be there at 45, I’m
Pretty sure about that
April 18th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
@PTWalk I watched that yesterday and agree Rojo just needs more opportunities and I’ve been calling for AJ Dillon for a while now as well. Then find an UDFA RB to bring in and battle with Dare and possibly be a return threat. Heck there many even be a smaller school guy with speed and wiggle we can get late in the draft check out Adrian Killins out of UCF.
April 18th, 2020 at 4:19 pm
A.J “The Real Deal Dillon” this should be our first round pick after making a trade down in the draft!
April 18th, 2020 at 4:29 pm
BigHog with the dub
April 18th, 2020 at 4:54 pm
BigHog, nobody wants the Bucs to draft AJ Dillon more than me, but no way is he a 1st Round pick. Rnd 3 at the highest, maybe slide to Rnd 4. Doubt seriously that he’ll still be there in Rnd 5.
Dillon doesn’t necessarily fit the way BA has done things in the past (BA doesn’t seem to care much for FB-types), but this could be ‘the year of change’. Offenses have to be a lot more versatile nowadays, largely because defenses have gotten much better IMO. Most defenses though are really good against either the run or the pass, but not necessarily both (a few are admittedly). The Patriots have been so successful offensively for so many years because they could decipher their opponents’ weaknesses … both offensively AND defensively … and take advantage. Being able to pass AND run definitely minimized their own weaknesses.
April 18th, 2020 at 4:58 pm
DR- don’t start crying for O-Line now- 1 month ago before we signed Brady, you were saying it wasn’t them it was Jameis. It was all Jameis,
Brady should be able to do what Jameis could not behind this 5th rated O-line (per PFF which everyone loves to quote). Just messing with you because you were wrong then but you are correct now- we need O-line!! Or Brady will be gone by the 6th game. Our O line was garbage last year and the year before that and the year before that. I don’t need someone to tell me they were good. I watch every game and judge for myself. You can make any number look like something it is not. Jameis’ escapability made their numbers waaaay better than they were. Obviously they couldn’t run block for sh*t. Just having’ fun with you, I like your thoughts- I may not agree with some of them but they are always respectful. BTW- Clyde in the 2nd if he is there or Akers if Clyde is gone. If there is a late first round run on RBs and all the RBs are off the board, DT or DE. If he takes another Safety I may ask for my ticket money back, LOL. We need a veteran S, IMO.
April 18th, 2020 at 5:02 pm
A lot of possibilities. Thursday should be exciting!
So if we miss out on the top 4 OT if indeed one of them is our pick….it’ll depend if the Bucs believe they have a solid RT in the second round. Then they have to gamble on how far CEH will drop. If they could trade down swapping first round picks straight up we add one of our extra 4th rounders they give us a 2nd rounder.
if we had two picks in the second round we could really build trenches with the RT and then either another OL or DL all in the second. Perhaps a safety there.
April 18th, 2020 at 5:02 pm
We should have taken a flyer on Jarquez Patrick. He was the best RB in XFL, he was in our backyard and we blew it. If nothing else, he could have been camp meat. He was unfortunate in the fact he sat behind D Cook and when he played for the Bills, he had a couple good games before getting hurt. I think he may have gotten popped for marijuana too, but that is okay in the NFL nowadays, I guess. Still would take a RB in second- but he would have given us our size and power.
April 18th, 2020 at 5:06 pm
So trade Oj to New England with a 3rd for their 1st.
April 18th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Itz a passing league enough of hearing about running backs who may be lucky to see 6 carries a game in BA’s offense. Which Kicker is the apple of Lichts’s eye this year. Secure the kicking game finally Licht. If the 2nd round or 5 round didn’t work doesn’t mean Licht cant trade up for a kicker in round 1.
April 18th, 2020 at 6:27 pm
NO! They have confidence in ROJO and with a stud RT and Brady, I do as well. Theyre not looking for a #1 RB or a total one-two punch. AJ Dillon in the third would be a great pick. Trade back for Delpit in the first, RT and DT In the second, and a RB in the third.
April 18th, 2020 at 7:27 pm
Dobbins is the most electric back in the Draft! Speed, power, change of direction and a decent receiver!
I like A.J. Dillon as a 3rd or 4th round guy too. A Derrick Henry clone with surprising speed and breakaway abilities.
April 18th, 2020 at 7:40 pm
“Kobe Faker thinks we can get Leonard Fournete for a 3rd round trade with Jacksonville. Get 2 best ofensive lineman with our 2 top picks”
Kobe Faker
April 18th, 2020 at 7:56 pm
@jjbucsfan … “1 month ago before we signed Brady, you were saying it wasn’t them it was Jameis. It was all Jameis”.
Could be wrong, but I don’t remember ever writing that. Feel free to back up your contention with what I did actually write though. Can find it all in the JBF archives.
Been beating the drum for a long time for BUILDING THE TRENCHES … on BOTH sides of the ball. We knew that the right side of our OLine was considerably weaker than the left side when we started last season. And with Dotson not being re-signed, it’s obvious we need a RT more than anything else. Here’s what I did find that PFF wrote however about the 2019 OLines at the end of the season:
#7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet anchored the middle of this Buccaneers’ offensive line and provided some of the best pass protection that we saw from any interior offensive line this season. The guard and center positions for the Bucs combined for an 80.4 pass-blocking grade this season, ranking second among all offenses around the league. Dating back to 2015, Marpet has the 12th-highest overall grade among 55 guards with 2,500-plus snaps.
BTW, I think that PFF’s grades are meaningless. Winston was sacked 47 times and hit over 100 times last season. Our running game was abysmal (#24 in rushing yards), largely due to ineffective run-blocking IMO. Our OLine committed 32 penalties on the season for 242 total yards (not good BTW … our DLine in comparison had 17 penalties for 103 yards). Football Outsiders ranked our OLine as #23, and Sporting News ranked them even lower.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:08 pm
jjbucsfan … BTW, Clyde’s fine & so is Akers, but I’d rather have Dobbins (Rnd 2) AND AJ Dillon (Rnd 4). Rnd 1 for a Tackle, Rnd 2 for a RB, Rnd 3 for a DT/DE, Rnd 4 for a WR#3, Rnd 4 another RB (Dillon), Rnds 5-6 for BPAs (someone good always slips that far).
Dillon will be the 2020’s Mike Alstott. If we beef up the OLine and grab 2 RBs, one of them will hit big. So will RoJo this year if he gets the opportunities IMO. Problem with RBs is that if you have 3 then you really have 2 because one will always be beaten up. Four good years and most are done it seems, with relatively few exceptions.
April 18th, 2020 at 8:57 pm
SOE……I don’t know how you could say they aren’t looking for a #1 RB when Bruce said he wanted a three down back. To mean that sounds like they are indeed looking for a #1 RB.
I don’t think they have the confidence in Ronald that you think they do. We will find out in a week. If they take a RB in the top 2 Rounds that pretty much tells us what they are thinking. Even though Bruce already pretty much said it.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:11 pm
I like everyone talking about CEH. Someone will most likely bite on him before we get a chance to in the 2nd rd. I’m betting on Cam Akers to be there. Don’t sleep on Cam. Speed and shiftiness with the ability to catch.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:14 pm
Clyde won’t be there at 45. He’s an Emmitt Smith clone
April 18th, 2020 at 10:41 pm
JimmyJack
If that’s the fact I’m hoping Akers is still on the board if CEH is gone.
April 18th, 2020 at 10:42 pm
Running backs are worthless though. We should focus on safety, OT, or maybe a WR.
April 18th, 2020 at 11:55 pm
Clyde, Taylor, or Akers would be sweet to get with our second round pick if they are still around. If not, I’m pretty sure that Dobbins from Ohio State will be available for us and he’s pretty damn good too. I’d take Dillion in the 3rd or 4th round as well to share carries. We need to come away with two starting caliber running backs this season through the draft/free agency, but I have my doubts that we’ll even get one. Our front offices aversion to and ineptitude in aquirering running backs is downright bizarre.
April 19th, 2020 at 12:24 am
A.J Dillon is the runningback we need I don’t care about the catching runningback we have not found that guy . So why not just get Dillon who can run the ball .
April 19th, 2020 at 1:03 am
Anyone that is worried about CEH saying he isnt fast enough or whatever, clearly never watched him play. His change of pace and ability to stop on a dime and then be back at top speed, almost instantly, is what makes him so special. His catching talents and route running would give us a true 3 down back.
Trading down if Wills and Thomas are gone and taking him in the 20s would be fine with me. Plenty of good OT to be had in the 2nd and even 3rd round. I think adding CEH would help out our team more than any other player in this draft. He is that good.
Still though, we need to find a way to add another 2nd round pick. Screw trading up in the 1st. We need OT, RB, S, WR #3, and DL depth. A trade down in the 1st makes the most sense. We can fill 1 maybe 2 of those in FA before the season starts but at least 3 or 4 of those positions need to be filled via this draft.
Let’s hope 2 of the 3 WR’s go before us and someone gets desperate to get ahead of Denver. I’m looking at you Philly and Minnesota…
April 19th, 2020 at 1:43 am
Clyde will be there at #45….stop getting ahead of yourselves 🙂
April 19th, 2020 at 1:44 am
Simmons
Clyde
then whoever…..we won!
April 19th, 2020 at 10:44 am
Ivan
My money says you are flat out wrong. There are five really good running backs, one of them will be available in the second round, especially since most prognosis say Swift is the only one worth taking in the first round.
On top of that, it’s a very deep draft for offensive and defensive lineman, as well as receivers and it’s a passing game.
They need one of those top lineman and running back’s. They can get both in the first two rounds and then take D lineman in round three and a QB in around four (Jake Fromm?)
April 19th, 2020 at 10:46 am
Sorry Simms you must have been sack one to many times. Its effective your thinking. There is no way Taylor deserves to be a 1st rd pick. Can’t catch, can’t block. Offensive line is what made him the running back he is. Middle 2nd rounder at best. Swift, Dobbins, Haire & Akers should all go before him.
April 19th, 2020 at 11:08 am
I like Taylor better because of how he talks!! How detail oriented he is and how he approaches the game!! It’s what you want in the NFL … He will be a great back in the nfl
April 19th, 2020 at 2:44 pm
David,
It’s actually very unlikely that one of the Top 5 backs is still on the board at #45.
At least one (Swift or Taylor) will be taken in Round 1. Very possibly both.
If both, that leaves 3 backs to make it through 12 other picks; all spots that know the Bucs are desperate for a RB at #45. We see runs on RBs in the top of the 2nd round every recent draft.
It’s very likely that the #3, #4, and #5th ranked backs are taken in those top 12 picks of the 2nd round. Leaving the Bucs with #6 ranked back or worse.
Any back outside of the top 1 or 2 is a massive gamble. The odds of finding a game-changer are less and less likely. When you’re “ALL IN” like the Bucs are with Brady, you don’t have the luxury of hoping a “RB Gamble” taken later happens to be a guy that turns into a stud.
When you absolutely need a stud RB you have to just go and draft one. That means doing it in the 1st round.
April 20th, 2020 at 10:16 am
I’m fine with Dobbins, Taylor, Swift, Edwards-Helaire in that order. Zack Moss is okay… I like Gibson, the WR/RB, in round 3. AJ Dillon as well.
BTW, for the mouth breathers that think you HAVE to draft a RB in round 1 if you want a stud… drafting somebody in round 1 guarantees nothing. Henry, Hunt, and many many others WERE NOT drafted in round 1.