The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not good at running the football.
They ranked 27th in EPA per rush in 2023, and they were dead last in rush success rate. They have not added any major name at running back this offseason, and their offensive line remains suspect as training camp begins.
Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, though, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski says that the Buccaneers are a perfect match for Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't run the football,” Sobleski wrote. “It only makes sense to select the top running prospect and finally rectify the situation. In fact, Tampa finished dead last in rushing offense during each of the last two seasons… The interview process will be important for Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II after a June 30 DUI arrest. On the field, Gordon is the class' top runner, coming off a nation-leading 1,732 rushing yards. The 211-pound back also snagged 39 passes for 330 yards.”
Although the Bucs were a playoff team a year ago and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs, they were very one-dimensional offensively. A top-notch running back would take a lot off the plate of Baker Mayfield and the passing game.
