Rachaad

White

It's easy to blame the offensive line for White's lack of efficiency, and the unit did play a role, as he experienced perfectly blocked plays far less often than most running backs. However, even when the blocking was perfect, his yards per carry average on those plays was lower than most other running backs in the league.

The Buccaneers drafted Oregon standout Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, and he is likely to serve as the primary backup this season. While Irving will probably play around 25% of the Bucs' offensive snaps to start the season, there is at least a chance (given Irving’s efficiency in college and White’s lack of efficiency in the NFL) that Irving will take over as the primary early-down back at some point this season.

Volume is the most important factor for a running back. White had plenty of it last season, though he was not efficient. While efficient running backs are more likely to maintain their volume, White exemplifies a player who had volume but risks losing it this season if he doesn't make more of his opportunities. If White had performed better on a per-play basis last year, he would be a first- or second-round pick. Instead, he remains a risky choice. While he has top-five potential, there's also the risk that he might not be a reliable fantasy starter.