In the 50 seasons of Buccaneers history, Rachaad White ranks tied for fifth on the all-time list of running backs scoring touchdowns.
Only Mike Alstott, James Wilder, Warrick Dunn and Doug Martin have more.
Last year, White averaged 4.3 yards per carry (4 touchdowns) and stayed healthy for a fourth consecutive season. Bucky Irving was the Bucs’ go-to back, though, and he averaged 3.4 yards per carry (1 touchdown).
After the season, White sprinted out of One Buc Palace and the Bucs didn’t try to catch him. He landed with the Commanders on a one-year deal that pays him $2 million plus a bunch of incentives. White earned $3.5 million with the Bucs last season.
Tampa Bay replaced White in free agency for $7 million with a Bucky Irving clone who also plays special teams: Steelers running back Kenny Gainwell.
Back in mid-January, White seemed very unhappy with Todd Bowles and/or former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
After several weeks to reflect, White told the Commanders website this week that his Tampa time wasn’t appreciated.
“Underutilized? We could say, ‘Yeah.’ I feel like I’ve been kind of underrated, too,” White said. “But it’s why we get to play this game. It’s why God gave me another opportunity to be able to show it. And obviously, during the journey I’ve been through, it ain’t really kind of nothing new to me.”
White went on to say his résumé speaks for itself. “Each year I have gotten better regardless of the touches I have got, and things like that,” White said.
It’s hard to argue White was not a valuable cog in the Bucs offense: production, durability, pass blocking, and White was a weapon when he got the ball in space. But the Bucs struggled to get White the ball in space last season.
Joe could argue (perhaps unsuccessfully) White was as valuable as Jamel Dean. However, the Bucs replaced White with a quality player in free agency. That hasn’t been the case with Dean. Maybe they’ll go there early in Thursday’s draft.
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