Should the Bucs draft Barkley if he falls?

Tampa Bay has been unlucky to not have a legitimate running game for some time now. Times have changed to the point where teams are using multiple running backs to have a successful running attack. So is it worth it for the Bucs to use such a high draft pick on one?

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds released his latest Fab 5 detailing a scenario where Penn State’s Saquon Barkley falls to them at No. 7 and makes a case for the Bucs drafting him there.

No, he’s not necessarily my favorite running back in this year’s draft, and I don’t care that this is a deep draft at the position. There’s no denying Barkley’s talent and production. He’s a special athlete and a special player, and running back is a huge position of need.

If Barkley is there, the Bucs must take him. He’s a sensational football player, a die-hard worker, and a man of impeccable character.

We have all seen and read the thoughts from scouts on Barkley. We’ve even seen the same positives echoed in Bucs Nation’s breakdown of running back prospects by Kyle Marks. But if that scenario plays out, I’d rather see the Buccaneers pass on Barkley.

The draft is too deep at the position. And while the position is certainly a need for the Bucs, the defensive side of the ball can not continue to be ignored in the first round as that is their biggest problem.

Since Jason Licht was hired to be the team’s general manager, Tampa Bay has only selected one defensive player in the first round and that was cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III in 2016.

Unless Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson falls to No. 7, the only players that should be considered by the Buccaneers at that spot are defensive end Bradley Chubb, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety Derwin James, and maybe cornerback Denzel Ward.

Leave the running back for later in the draft.