Bucs Host Consensus Top RB On Top 30 Visit

As we draw closer to the 2023 NFL Draft we are finding out additional players who have visited with the Bucs as a part of their Top 30 visits. And today that list grows by one as Texas running back Bijan Robinson revealed that he has visited with Tampa Bay on “The Dan Patrick Show” as a part of the pre-draft process. It was also previously reported on the “Locked on Bucs” podcast around April 5.

When Patrick asked Robinson how many teams he had met with Robinson responded, “I’ve been to two teams, for official visits to their city, only two teams.” And when Patrick pressed him to identify those two teams Robinson divulged it was the Eagles and the Bucs.

Robinson is widely considered the top running back, and a Top 5 overall player in this draft class. He has also been discussed as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley was selected second overall by the New York Giants in 2018. Since then, more research has come out about the value of the running back position and teams are less likely to take one that high. That is why Robinson, despite his vast talent, may be available when the Bucs are on the clock at pick No. 19.

Bucs Interested In 2 Texas Running Backs

Texas RB Bijan Robinson – Photo by: USA Today

Robinson isn’t the only running back the team has been interested in. He’s not even the only running back from the University of Texas that the Bucs have hosted, as fellow Longhorn Roschon Johnson also visited the Bucs earlier this month. The Bucs have also hosted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Illinois running back Chase Brown.

The interest level from the Bucs is notable in that they cut last year’s starter Leonard Fournette at the beginning of free agency and are currently set to start the season with a backfield comprised of last year’s third-round pick Rachaad White, 2020 third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn and recently signed veteran Chase Edmonds.

If the Bucs selected him, Robinson would most likely vault to the top of that depth chart. And for good reason. Here is a portion of Dane Brugler’s writeup on him for the Athletic:

” Overall, Robinson is the complete package as both a runner and receiver with vision, instincts and elusive traits that will translate well to the NFL. He is one of the most talented players in
the draft class.”

If the Bucs due opt to select Robinson over other players that might fill more pressing roster needs, they will need to hope that he can overcome an offensive line that lost two starters from 2022 after being one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL.

Last year Robinson carried the ball 258 times for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns while catching 19 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Over his three-year career at Texas he logged 4,215 total yards on 539 carries and 60 receptions while scoring 41 combined touchdowns.