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At 6’2″, 210 pounds, Rachaad White is one of the best-kept secrets of 2022 dynasty rookie drafts. With that said, the proverbial cat is going to be out of the bag once White shows up at the Senior Bowl. The keyword for me when watching his tape is smooth. White is an efficient rusher who doesn’t waste movement and is a dual-threat out of the backfield. He was a 1,000-yard rusher last season but also caught 43 passes for nearly 460 yards.
He can be a bit upright at times, but that is coachable, as is pass blocking. White shows solid contact balance and determination at the point of contact. I’d like to see more burst at the line, but once his next gear kicks in, White is gone. Don’t sleep on him when the draft kicks off.
Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller said Arizona State RB Rachaad White stood out in the first Senior Bowl practice session.
White (6'2/210) burst on the national scene this season after transferring to ASU from Mt. San Antonio JC in 2020. He took over the lead back role after battling the now departed Deamontre Trayanum for carries, rushing 182 times for 1,006 yards, 5.5 YPC and 15 touchdowns to go with 43 receptions for 456 yards and a touchdown through the air. Miller noted that White "looks strong and explosive" while going through drills in a pretty deep running back group that includes Jerome Ford, Hassan Haskins, Tyler Badie and Abram Smith. He took one carry off the right side for a would-be 50 yard touchdown in 11-on-11's and is shaping up as a mid-round all-purpose back who has shown an ability to make big plays during his Sun Devils tenure.
SOURCE: Matt Miller on Twitter
Feb 1, 2022, 2:07 PM ET
Legit receiver kinda reminds me of Marcus Allen Raiders RB similar body and running styleThe 43 receptions last year stands out, along with his size. I haven't really watched more than highlights. I wonder, is that more of a "Jay Ajayi catching 50 dump offs in a season at Boise St.", or is this guy a legit receiver out of the backfield?
https://twitter.com/mathbomb/status/1500139910514323468?s=21Kent Lee Platte @MathBomb
Rachaad White is a RB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.8 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 32 out of 1519 RB from 1987 to 2022. ras.football/ras-informatio… #RAS via @Mathbomb
Yeah he might be the rb creeperDamn. I didn't want him to do that well. I have a later first-round pick, and I was hoping he'd fall at least there.
The Draft Network's Justin Melo reports Arizona State RB Rachaad White "has met virtually with several teams."
The Saints, Bills, Bengals, Ravens, Browns and Raiders are among the teams that have met with White (6'2/210) according to Melo. A visit with the Buccaneers is reportedly on tap for Wednesday, as White continues to surge of draft boards. The Arizona State prospect has drawn interest for his three-down versatility Combine, where he ran a 4.48. Last season with the Sun Devils, White rushed for 182-1000-15 while also catching 43 passes for 456 yards and another score.
SOURCE: Justin Melo on Twitter
Apr 12, 2022, 1:36 PM ET
Rachaad White, Arizona State
BackCAST Score: +58.6%
Type of Back: Receiving
Similar Historical Prospects: DeMarco Murray, Ahman Green
There is a huge gap between Hall and the next-highest rated running back in this draft. Interestingly enough, BackCAST's No. 2 prospect is a sleeper who is ranked 180th overall by Scouts Inc.
So what does BackCAST like about Rachaad White? He has a good size-speed combination, running a 4.48s 40-yard dash at 214 pounds. White is the most productive receiving back in this year's draft, averaging over 40 yards per game for the Sun Devils. White also averaged a respectable 5.8 yards per attempt on the ground. White did not dominate the backfield at Arizona State, but that could be due to his late start, as he joined the team after a two-year stint at junior college.
White's rank as BackCAST's second-best running back has more to do with the weakness of the class than it does with White's projection, which is good, but hardly record-breaking. That said, White's BackCAST projection is great for the price of a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
Bucs selected Arizona State RB Rachaad White with the No. 91 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
White (6'/214) was an elite college receiving back with 2.59 yards per route run. However, like previous Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin, his NFL coaches may view him as more of a versatile depth option than the lead receiving option in a committee -- he does profile fairly similarly to uninspiring receiving backs like Javorius Allen and Jeremy McNichols. Still, with a 4.48 40, a 38-inch vertical, and a 125-inch broad jump, White looks sufficiently athletic to seize an opportunity if it arises. With rare receiving efficiency, solid size, and plus athleticism, he profiles as a good bet for a Kenyan Drake-like stretch of fantasy relevance. He'll be well behind Leonard Fournette, but could see playing time if Uncle Lenny, 27, struggles with injuries in 2022.
RELATED:
Leonard Fournette
Apr 29, 2022, 10:52 PM ET
I like that comparison. He seems to have good cutting ability, great pass catching skills, and some acceleration to him. A lot of mixed reviews on what kind of back he is torn could be though.I had a feeling that Bruce Arians somehow nudged GM Jason Licht and HC Bowles to take White during 3rd round. This is due to his recent experience with do-everything RB David Johnson at Arizona Cardinals.
“The kind that eats into Lenny’s touches?” is probably the biggest question out of the gate.I like that comparison. He seems to have good cutting ability, great pass catching skills, and some acceleration to him. A lot of mixed reviews on what kind of back he is torn could be though.
I would put odds that Fournette is on Tampa in 2023 as 50/50 at best.I'm not nearly as high on White as others. He'll be 24 at the end of his rookie season & likely 26 before he could take over for Fournette.
They have a pretty easy out after ‘23. Really can’t see them cutting Fournette before then unless he declines this season. I have a strong feeling White will get drafted over once Fournette moves on.I would put odds that Fournette is on Tampa in 2023 as 50/50 at best.
His contract was structured for an easy out after 2022 as well and if Brady is gone I think it's not possible so much as likely they think saving $4.5-6.5M against the cap is more valuable then a 28 year old Fournette on a team probably taking a step back.They have a pretty easy out after ‘23. Really can’t see them cutting Fournette before then unless he declines this season. I have a strong feeling White will get drafted over once Fournette moves on.
Yeah, Brady could be a factor, as well.His contract was structured for an easy out after 2022 as well and if Brady is gone I think it's not possible so much as likely they think saving $4.5-6.5M against the cap is more valuable then a 28 year old Fournette on a team probably taking a step back.
A lot of variables at play such as if Brady returns(I would be surprised), how Fournette does, how White does, etc, etc. I threw out the 50/50 number on him returning in 2023 but I had to bet the O/U today I'd take under on him returning.
And he's younger then Pierre Strong, about a month older then Brian Robinson, within 6 months or less of the Georgia's and running about a year older then Allgeier and Pierce.Off the top of your head, do you know how old White is?
He's 23 years old. Haven't seen this mentioned. He's old for a senior
Last years top back Najee was 23 and just turned 24. Age doesn’t concern me as much with RBs because their lifespan is typically shorter anyway.Off the top of your head, do you know how old White is?
He's 23 years old. Haven't seen this mentioned. He's old for a senior.
I hadn't gotten past BRUCE ARIANS DAVID JOHNSON takes since the draft.
It's not about lifespan.Last years top back Najee was 23 and just turned 24. Age doesn’t concern me as much with RBs because their lifespan is typically shorter anyway.
Guy averaged 10 yards a carry his junior year. I kid…4 carries. Juco before…? I guess I don’t know the stats comparison for running backs to back anything up here. He did look good his senior year and is a receiving threat so I have some interest. We are talking about a 2nd round rookie pick here in a weak class (imo), so most of those guys have some warts.It's not about lifespan.
If a RB looks amazing as a senior, as players the same age are entering their 3rd NFL season, it's hard to evaluate them.
White being old doesn't mean he'll bust, kind of like how Najee being old doesn't mean White is going to rush for 1,000 yards his rookie year.
Bucs signed third-round RB Rachaad White to a four-year contract.
The Bucs' third Day 2 runner in five years, White is the team's latest attempt to find a backfield mate for Leonard Fournette. "Playoff Lenny" has been just fine as the default every-down option, but he would ideally be a part of a committee. White displayed chops on all three downs at Arizona State in 2021, and is a plus athlete at 6-foot-0. Fournette is headed into his age-27 campaign with a rather lengthy injury history, including 2021 hamstring problems. White is a name well worth filing away in re-draft leagues.
SOURCE: Rick Stroud on Twitter
May 12, 2022, 1:50 PM ET
The third-round pick will enter a crowded backfield with do-it-all starter Leonard Fournette, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and veteran third-down back Giovani Bernard.
But at 6-foot-1, 214 pounds, White could provide Tom Brady a reliable target out of the backfield that the future Hall of Famer was used to during his 20 seasons in New England. With the Sun Devils, White rushed for exactly 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 43 passes for 456 yards and another score.
“He’s a good talent, that’s why we drafted him,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “Leonard is our starter, obviously. We look for White to compete with Vaughn and Gio and we’ll see from there. ... He has good size. He has good feet and good speed. We’ll see in preseason where he fits at. But he’s capable of spelling Leonard, he’s capable of catching a ball. He’s capable of doing a lot of things.”
But how quickly can White earn Brady’s trust?
Fournette had a remarkable performance in 2021. He combined for more than 1,200 yards rushing and receiving. But the workload — he had 249 touches in 13 games — wore him down toward the end of the season and in the playoffs.
Brady no longer trusted Ronald Jones, who rushed for close to 1,000 yards during the Bucs’ Super Bowl 55 run, because he was bad in pass protection. Jones signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.
“Why it’s tough to get Lenny off the field, he’s a three-down back,” offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said of Fournette. “He’s a smart guy, and he and Tom can play ball. They can play ball together when it starts moving on them and things are changing and things have to happen, Lenny and him can play ball. They’ve been in these situations.
“That’s why it’s hard to really get him off the field because of what he brings and the connection him and Tom have. I think it’s unique. It’s not that we’re forcing him on that field. It’s because he’s the best in what we’re asking him to do. We’ll see how it plays out this year.”
Bucs running backs coach Todd McNair said White has to first learn the offense and be sound in his assignments, something that can occasionally trip up Fournette.
“(Fournette’s) got a feel for getting open sometimes, and he’s got a habit for ad-libbing and that can get him in trouble,” McNair said. “Doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. He’ll go do a fake, ‘I’ve got to run out here in the flat,’ but the backers are dropping so he’ll just turn around and Tom will hit him. They got a little street ball feel for each other and that can get Lenny in trouble a lot. He ends up in the wrong place a lot. There’s a plus and minus. But him and Tom are comfortable together … that’s probably why Lenny wound up coming back.”
During Friday’s first rookie minicamp practice, White rarely left McNair’s side. Between plays, they were constantly talking about some of the nuances of the offense.
With his size and catch radius, White should have an advantage over some of the Bucs’ other backs as a receiver who can split out wide and win on routes.
“From a receiving standpoint, he’s a bigger target,” McNair said of White. “From a range standpoint, he’s got more range and things like that. That’s where it matters. Gio running a slant vs. Rachaad running a slant. Bigger target, catch radius. The more range you have in the passing game as you split out, that’s going to be an advantage.
“I think he’ll fit good. That was a really good scheme fit. You think back, we’ve always talked about David Johnson and what his role was in Arizona in the offense. Lenny got a feel for that because he could split out and do wide receiver stuff. The versatility is a plus.”
At least on Friday, White looked the part of an NFL player.
“When you walk out on that grass as a football player, man, all the football instincts just come in,” he said after his first practice. “But there were times that I caught myself just looking around. Looking at the logo on everybody’s helmet, looking at the jersey colors. Yeah, it’s crazy. I’m on the Buccaneers, so it’s wild.”
I thought Vaughn's big thing was his landing spot and people were down on Ronald Jones. Vaughn was going in the 1st round of a lot of rookie drafts early. Then they signed Fournette and the rest is history.zamboni said:Nice things to hear but not going to get too excited yet because IIRC there was also positive press about Vaughn (also a 3rd round draft pick) heading into his rookie year.
Good points. My concern would be that even next year if they move on from Fournette, they could bring someone else in. 3rd round draft capital is decent but not exactly protective. But as you say, White should be going later than Vaughn did (unless of course White lights it up in camp).I thought Vaughn's big thing was his landing spot and people were down on Ronald Jones. Vaughn was going in the 1st round of a lot of rookie drafts early. Then they signed Fournette and the rest is history.
White you're going to get in the 2nd it seems, which makes him much more intriguing.
If Brady does not come back in 2023 my guess is Fournette does not either.Likely a really high volume guy in 2024. Could be as soon as 2023 though if Leonard Fournette isn't as motivated without Tom Brady.
He has a dead cap hit of over $5M in 2023. He may not be interested in playing for the Bucs at that point, but based on the $$ he'd still be the guy.If Brady does not come back in 2023 my guess is Fournette does not either.
Yea, looks like they only save 3 mill if they cut him next year.He has a dead cap hit of over $5M in 2023. He may not be interested in playing for the Bucs at that point, but based on the $$ he'd still be the guy.