Jason Licht: Yes, Running Back Is A Need
February 26th, 2026
Draft chatter.
Joe has typed a few times since Rachaad White kicked over the kitty litter box walking out the door of One Buc Palace, Sean Tucker is a free agent and is Bucky Irving coming off shoulder surgery, the Bucs’ running back room very likely needs to add bodies.
(Joe has also typed that if Notre Dame Jeremiyah Love is somehow on the board when the Bucs pick at No. 15, Joe doesn’t know how they pass on the guy.)
So when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown at the combine this week on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” Licht made no secrets of what he thinks of the Bucs’ running back position.
JoeBucsFan.com: Is running back a need in the draft?
Jason Licht: Yeah! You want a good running game. You just can’t rely on one player. We definitely, that will be a position; we will have running backs on the roster, I promise you. So, we are not going into the season with one or two running backs or even three running backs [going] into training camp. We actually like some of the guys on our practice squad. but yeah, we will be looking for running backs.”
Now, how high up do the Bucs draft a running back if Love isn’t on the board at No. 15?
Would the Bucs dare to trade up into the second round to land Love’s teammate Jadarian Price? Joe isn’t sure trading up for a running back is very wise.
Could Washington YAC monster Jonah Coleman be available when the Bucs draft at No. 77 (third round pick)?
Licht was pretty direct with Joe: A running back is coming. When? That’s likely up to Licht.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
“We will have running backs on the roster, I promise you. So we are not going into the season with one or two running backs.”
This is the epitome draft speak, because of course you’re going to have RBs on the roster Jason lol
Also found his change in demeanor when asked about Rachaad White a little fun, because he reverted to grinning and saying “we’ll see”, yea saw him leave 1Buc for the last time.
“Could Washington YAC monster Jonah Coleman be available when the Bucs draft at No. 77 (third round pick)?”
No more pipsqueaks
February 26th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Put all that on hold. Here is the question: can thy get Crosby? He will be the difference maker like Nickerson. Like Brady. Like Gronk. Like AB.
Yes. The guy the fires up the rest of the Defense.
And it will cost two 1st round picks. But so what? This guy is something special.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Todd wants to run even more despite the talent at WR.
That will slow the game down even more and make the margin for error razor thin.
Licht loves Bowles and the results he provides.
Queue the PT Barnum circus music.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
Honestly running back is the least of the worries is a pass rush a need asking for a friend.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
A running back who could double as a pulling guard and safety would be right in Todd’s wheelhouse.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Of course you want to run it,it opens everything up and gives that great defense a breather!
February 26th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
PLEASE NO
It’s easy to argue RB is Lichts worst position. Licht likes soft, finesse, cutesy RB. Rojo, White, Bucky are all soft AF. None can wear out a defense, pass block, or pick up short distances. Any success is quickly followed by injury.
Classic SEC/Big10-type backs are the premier RB in the league. The leading rushers over the last 5 (to 106) years prove this out: Cook, Barkley, Jacobs, Taylor, Henry, Chubb … Human wrecking balls.
Letting Licht pick a RB is a complete waste of a pick.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
All the Baker Bois better hope and pray for Love. He would be THE single most valuable asset piece in the entire draft, that would help Baker to a great season. And, then be able to parlay that into a ‘multi-year’ upper middle-class level, max type of contract. At least somewhere. Otherwise, the Bucs would only be bidding against themselves again, for the most part. Which would mean, another very similar deal that he’s just coming off of. This season is SO HUGE for Baker. It’ll prob be his last big bite of the apple. It will determine just how “BIG” of a bite HE GETS. If it’s another season like last, then he’s going to be in BIG Trouble. Especially, with next year’s 2027 Draft-Class. He better play HIS ASS OFF and pray for good health, or the book on Baker will be closing FAST.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Bring Tucker back. Problem solved. We stole him in the first place!
February 26th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Hope he gone in a year.
February 26th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
The question I have to ask is this. Is there any truth in the running from Atlanta may be acquired by the Bucs ??
February 26th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
J Coleman would be a solid pick in the 3rd
February 26th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
“Letting Licht pick a RB is a complete waste of a pick.”
Not if it’s at #15 and it’s Love. You’re not getting anything in this draft class any better than THAT at #15. And, it would be best for the FUTURE of the franchise. According to MANY and Todd McShay… A Dickerson, Faster Emmitt, Bijan, Gibbs style of back at #15. I’d take-it in a HEARTBEAT. I think it was Kiper too, who had him as his #2-overall prospect, only behind Mendoza. So, he’s not going to be there anyway, unless he totally BOMBS his interviews, and the combine. Very Unlikely. I would be SHOCKED if he gets past the Saints and Andy Reid, at #8 and #9. Honestly, I would not be shocked at ALL, to see the Chiefs trade-up to #7 with Washington, in order to jump ahead of the Saints. But, if he’s still there at #12 when the Cowboys pick, I would have to really consider moving up into that slot for HIM. I could kinda see Tennessee taking a swing on him as well. The Bucs stand an absolutely ZERO chance of competing next season anyway. So, why NOT take possibly THE “Best Player” in the entire draft at number 15. I’m all about the FUTURE and am OUT on 2026 anyway! Though, HE would help make much more of a ‘difference’ for next season even, than what ANY LB, CB, DE, or DT that you’re getting there regardless, at #15. Especially, for BAKER. It’s not gonna happen, BUT you don’t pass on that type of talent at #15. And, have HIM for 5-YEARS on a ‘rookie’ deal. That type of an ‘explosive’ player.
February 26th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
I agree J Coleman is a good pick for the Bucs. Otherwise go with Love if he is not drafted.
February 26th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Get Algiers. A room of him, Bucky and Tucker is all we need.
February 26th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
Irving and Tucker are fine by me but if I were to use a draft pick on a RB it would be a fourth rounder on Mike Washington from Arkansas: 6′ 223lbs 6.4 YPC 4.45 40 yd dash.
He hits his holes urgently and violently and has remarkably acceleration and top end speed. he was clocked at over 20 MPH 7 times in 2025. He was the first SEC RB to post back to back 100+ yard games since Alex Collins did it in 2015. Those two games were not against slouches- first was Tennessee for 121 yards then he humbled J Rodriguez and his crew at Texas A+M for 137 yards.
He is a big back with top end speed who can catch out of the backfield (28 receptions in 2025) but most importantly- he can block. Well, in fact. I’m not sure there is another RB in this draft who can described as a good blocker.
10 fumbles but no major injuries in 4 years is far from great but its better than the fumble issues the other big back I like for the Bucs, Terion Stewart from Virginia Tech has. Stewart loses the ball trying for an extra yard way too much for me to spend anything lower than a seventh on him but that is an issue that I think can be corrected.
AJ Dillon in FA is my fond hope to bring the beef that Irving and Tucker lack though.
February 26th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
“Queue the PT Barnum circus music.”
I do, every time I see your name (or your little boyfriends) on a comment that music plays in my head 👍🏼🤣
Most definitely need another back unless we get RW back.
I’d prefer take it to the house speed AND toughness, AND elusiveness AND he needs to be able to block.
Our offense is going NOWHERE without an improved run game. I don’t care how stacked we are at WR we’ve got to be able to run effectively or we’re skrewed.
February 26th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Have read MelJr. soliloquies. It woud be great if someone would translate what he is talking about. I conclude he went to the same school as Oneilbuc. It there a Berlitz course that translates what they guys are saying into English?
February 26th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
“Irving and Tucker are fine by me but if I were to use a draft pick on a RB it would be a fourth rounder on Mike Washington from Arkansas: 6′ 223lbs 6.4 YPC 4.45 40 yd dash.“
You forgot the contact balance, and his habit of obliterating arm tacklers. Perfect addition to Bucky & Tucker.
I’m waiting(and holding out hope) that Robinson literally dedicates himself to using ALL of our RBs, and not do what Grizz did forcing the issue with Bucky.
February 26th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Perfectly confident that Licht will do the wrong thing and will not draft a defender in round 1.
Joe is correct when he says the defense sucks out loud.
Good thing we kept the DC in charge of the defense last season.
#SuperBowles
February 26th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Hopein1Hand … ‘AJ Dillon in FA is my fond hope to bring the beef that Irving and Tucker lack though.’
I wanted so much for the Bucs to draft AJ Dillon back in the 2020 draft, but instead Green Bay grabbed him in the 2nd Rnd (Bucs did draft Wirfs & Winfield before that however, so we did the right thing). AJ stayed with Packers for 5 years, then went to Eagles last year (they only used him for 7 games & 50 snaps … bizarre). And yes, I’d still love to see him as a Buc. Reminds me of Mike Alstott (same size 6′ & 247 lbs) but he actually has a bit better rushing average (4.1 YPC vs 3.7 YPC for Mike).
February 26th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Joe … ‘Joe has also typed that if Notre Dame Jeremiyah Love is somehow on the board when the Bucs pick at No. 15, Joe doesn’t know how they pass on the guy.’
The priority HAS TO BE DEFENSE this year. We’ve got so many major holes on defense that if we don’t at least use the Top-4 draft picks to plug them, we can kiss 2026 goodbye before the season even starts.
Our greatest NEED is for a monster DT/NT to pair with Vea, and ultimately replace him. That’ll do more to improve our pass rush than anything else we can do. Next inline as far as NEEDS is a starting MLB. Fix the middle of our defense with those 2 picks & we’ll be set for years. With Rnds 3 & 4 we NEED to add another beastly DLineman & an Edge (if there’s one on the board who’s promising … if not, grab another ILB or a CB).
February 26th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Agree with DR again. Bring Tucker back. He’s faster than Love. With our entire starting offensive line he’s gonna take it to the house nearly a dozen times from far away- if they can all make it through the season. Keep Tucker, and draft a backup guard in like round 4. Trade back rounds 1-2 to maximize picks and go all front 7 defense. Simple formula that will dramatically reshape and strengthen the team overall!
February 26th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Oh, and re-sign Evans, Otton and of course Tucker.