Star-Power Potential In Ke’Shawn Vaughn
June 10th, 2020
Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Now this should get every breathing Bucs fan a little more fired up than usual for the 2020 season.
The NFL employs a woman to study all things football analytics and write about it on NFL.com. Her name is Cynthia Frelund; Joe is a big fan. Her latest entry will warm the hearts of those who believe the Bucs’ returning running backs are subpar.
Frelund used various modeling to determine what rookie rushers would rack up numbers in 2020.
Her date revealed there’s little separation among the rookie class of RBs, and she thinks the Bucs found a guy who could be the very best of the bunch: third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
“Using contextualized play-calling data from each team and factoring in every rookie RB’s skill set, my model believes the following seven newbies will provide the biggest returns in 2020,” Frelund wrote.
No. 4: Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Round 3, No. 76 overall
Another back with enough upside to potentially lead this list by season’s end, Vaughn is currently my No. 28 overall RB in terms of PPR fantasy projections. Over the past two seasons, Vaughn led the SEC with an average of 4.4 yards per rush after contact (min. 100 rushes, per PFF). Vaughn’s receiving skills and Tom Brady’s short passing game (155 targets to backs in 2019 — second-most among NFL QBs, according to PFF) match well. Should Vaughn be able to eat into enough of Ronald Jones II’s snaps, he could end up as the surprise star of this running back class.
While Frelund makes fantasy football references, that wasn’t the point of her piece. When writing about Colts second-round pick Jonathan Taylor, she referenced how yards after contact has been such a strong predictor of rookie success. And, per Frelund, Vaughn led the SEC in that department.
Imagine the Bucs finding a gem of running back outside Round 1. It’s been a long while — 10 years since LeGarrette Blount wowed the NFL on fired as an undrafted free agent.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:03 am
give him his shot, i am patiently waiting and hoping for the best, go vaughn, go bucs
June 10th, 2020 at 11:17 am
Vaughn is a great second RB for the Bucs and with his great hands and speed, he should be a favorite for Brady, and remind him of White who Brady used to hit often in the perimeter passing game that Brady was famous for. But Vaughn also has the power to run right up the gut and break tackles if needed to spell Jones, or to be special in the red zone running or catching passes in the end zone! To my mind he is as good as the top four RBs taken in this year’s draft! Once again Licht did another great job on this draft as he did on last year’s draft. He knows what BA needs and he gets them for BA!
June 10th, 2020 at 11:19 am
So Joe, why is my last post awaiting moderation?
June 10th, 2020 at 11:20 am
Many in the fantasy community believe Vaughn will be racking up snaps right away. I don’t see it. For one thing, the team seems to be high on RoJo. He showed major improvement in year 2, especially when they gave him consistent snaps down the stretch. And in this shortened year, I think it will be tough for Vaughn to come in right away without familiarity with the playbook and pass block reps. I think RoJo will be the surprise fantasy asset this year, and will dominate touches out of the backfield. GO BUCS
June 10th, 2020 at 11:22 am
>>> Using contextualized play-calling data <<<
Who the f' ever uses "contextualized" much less when talking about football? Sounds like some kinky position you do with your girlfriend.
What the hell does that word even mean? If I ever heard that word in a football conversation, my mind would click "OFF" right away. What kind of ouija board is she using?
Math geeks and some science nerds make up their own language.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:24 am
Ditto Owlykat.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:27 am
Everyone was rolling their eyes over the pick on draft day, lately all I read is that he’s got star potential. Fingers crossed…
June 10th, 2020 at 11:28 am
“>>> Using contextualized play-calling data <<<
Who the f' ever uses "contextualized" much less when talking about football? Sounds like some kinky position you do with your girlfriend.
What the hell does that word even mean? If I ever heard that word in a football conversation, my mind would click "OFF" right away. What kind of ouija board is she using?
Math geeks and some science nerds make up their own language."
.
.
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Believe it or not, some fans have real vocabularies and don't lose their minds over big words.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:33 am
Hoping we have 2 legit capable backs this year.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:37 am
Few RBs star in their rookie year. But Vaughn looks like a fine prospect. We may have two decent running backs.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:39 am
This is first analysis where I see Vaughn grouped within the top 6 rbs- I still prefer both taylor and Dobbins. While I think Helaire is dynamic, I believe his size could limit his long term durability. Even 10 lbs at rb makes a huge difference.
I still think Bucs probably took Vaughn a bit too high and Licht should have found a way to trade back to the end of the third round/ early fourth round and still gotten him. However, Tyler Johnson is an absolute steal in the fifth round so I am no longer wound up about taking Vaughn too high. I understand the value of Winfield in the second round and had he not been there then rb should have been the pick and Dobbins!
June 10th, 2020 at 11:45 am
Ronald jones also had the most explosive plays of any college rb after reaching the second level. Leftwich is a clown
June 10th, 2020 at 11:45 am
We’ll see.
June 10th, 2020 at 11:48 am
Fingers crossed that Vaughn can be good out of the gate, but placing your superbowl hopes on a rookie and a third year player that hasn’t proven a damn thing is as foolish as it gets. Do the right thing Licht and sign a vet!
June 10th, 2020 at 11:48 am
I’ve posted this before…..but few seem to take into account how poor the Vanderbilt Oline was……..Vaughn overcame it.
128. VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Highest-graded player: OT Devin Cochran – 68.3 (128th)
Vanderbilt’s offensive line just couldn’t pave the way in the run game, as they finished with the lowest run-blocking grade as a unit this season. Their pass protection wasn’t much better either, as they ended the season ranked 122nd in pass-blocking grade after giving up pressure at the nation’s 16th-highest rate.
This is PFF………ranked the lowest run-blocking oline in the entire FBS….#130
June 10th, 2020 at 11:55 am
Tampa fan – Thanks for reposting. Important stats, imo. Let’s see how he does with our “new” OL. I think he’ll be fine.
June 10th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
“Vaughn led the SEC with an average of 4.4 yards per rush after contact ”
He’s also the pass blocking, receiving RB that Tom Brady supposedly needs. Broke an SEC team school record for rushing in two years. Watch the film and see him drag the entire LSU defense into the end zone from about ten yards out. Believe he had about 130 rushing yards and two TDs in that game if I’m correct. He’s a good all-around RB that the bandwagonders have already turned backs to cus he wasn’t a projected top five RB. Not to mention Cam Brate is the only one of our receivers that doesn’t have strong blocking skills. Enter Wirfs and Gronk and he could be a major upgrade in the rushing attack. Excited to watch.
June 10th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Vaughn looks like a sturdy workhorse but he is raw.
Looking at Tampabaybucsfan’s analysis proves that fact.
He isn’t used to solid blocking like he should get this year but taking the light from Rojo? It could happen if he is a fast learner but Rojo is going to have a red hot year. Doubters Beware!! GO BUCS!!!
June 10th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
I’m wary that Vaughn becomes Jeremy Theron McNichols. Who? Late round RB everyone was pumped about that didn’t even make the team.
June 10th, 2020 at 12:36 pm
SlyPirate what do you see in Vaughn that makes him McNichols or are you just a hard core pessimist?
June 10th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
If he can produce, it is a win/win situation for us. Lets see what the kid can do.
June 10th, 2020 at 12:55 pm
The key to any running back is how well they pick up the offense and the schemes, Brady will put him in the best situation and if the line can create holes then he will excel the same as Rojo. Both and all the running backs should focus on learning the offense and the way in which Brady sees it and if they earn his trust, they will succeed as will the team. The best running backs are usually decisive and without hesitation when hitting the holes the more relax a runner is the quicker he is and the greater impact or energy he brings into the contact. So if he is balanced in all aspects of the position he will have leverage over his opponent and will be able to adjust or be ahead of each situation.
June 10th, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Vaughn went to Vandy;……I’m quite sure he’ll learn the playbook…
June 10th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Brady may have his Sony Michel/James White combo in Rojo and Vaughn
June 10th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Rob F Says:
” Believe it or not, some fans have real vocabularies”
—
With any luck, maybe you will be one of them someday.
June 10th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Vaughn is a north and south runner – not shifty or indecisive like ROJO. Once he sees a hole, he going through it.
June 10th, 2020 at 2:55 pm
It doesn’t take vocabulary to understand the Buccaneers.
They have been a simple team that tries to develop youngsters into Probowlers and have failed miserably. Picking players who are virtually worthless to represent the team. Years and years and years of it.
There are no magical words to shine up the turd the team has produced for over forty years. I can mention 5 Buccaneer teams total that were worth a poop.
That is pretty bad for over 40 years. If it weren’t for our Super Bowl team the Browns would wipe the floor with us as being the better team in that same span.
That is so sad it is ridiculous. Not bashing my Bucs just calling it as it is. We are perennial losers who are used to failure. So now with the changes Arians has made to the team in his short stint as coach are promising.
Arians is trying to change that culture. Sure he can do it. I know so based off what has changed already.
He may be a QB whisperer but he isn’t STUPID. BYE Jameass! GO BUCS!!!!
June 10th, 2020 at 2:59 pm
If he can have 2 thousand yard seasons at Vandy hes got to be pretty damn good.
June 10th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
AlabamaBucsFan…Why I’m waiting for Wirfs to show his nasty face on the right side.
V-Train?
GO BUCS!!!
June 10th, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Jimmy I hear ya. You think that’s bad try listening to some of this baseball mumbo jumbo. These nerds think they can figure out the game looking into a sheet of paper…….That’s why I love when Joe rips into these PFF nerds…..Dont know whose worse them or the fantasy nerds. This Cynthia chick is a fantasy nerd and she the only one I like cause at least she’s pleasant to look at.
June 10th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
I’m just thankful we did not draft another damned kicker.
June 10th, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Tampabaybucfan
Thanks for posting that!
He had a Crap O Line in a tough conference, and STILL did what he did.
Licht may have found a real Gem in him ?
I just can’t wait till this season starts!
June 10th, 2020 at 6:31 pm
Contextualize: to place or study in context.
Seems pretty straightforward to me.
June 10th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Oops. Another big word. My bad.
Straightforward: Uncomplicated and easy to do or understand.
June 10th, 2020 at 6:36 pm
Aw heck. My bad again.
Uncomplicated: simple or straightforward.
June 10th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Now open your eyes and imagine Mr. 5,000 with a running back with Ke’Shawn Vaughn type potential!!! I CAN’T BREATHE!!
June 10th, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Mr 5000 would still throw 18-30 interceptions. Just let him go son!
June 10th, 2020 at 11:53 pm
So she ran a bunch of Madden simulations and analyzed the data that issued the results and an article the included few words that were beyond the reading comprehension of some.
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Ok, got it.
June 12th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
LOL Jason
June 12th, 2020 at 9:06 pm
With Wirfs addition and Brady at QB, whoever gets snaps out of the backfield is going to have some very good stats for sure.
June 12th, 2020 at 9:41 pm
Kamara 2.0 he will be like James white for Brady