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Jason Licht: Yes, Running Back Is A Need

February 26th, 2026

Draft chatter.

Joe has typed a few times since Rachaad White kicked over the kitty litter box walking out the door of One Buc Palace, Sean Tucker is a free agent and is Bucky Irving coming off shoulder surgery, the Bucs’ running back room very likely needs to add bodies.

(Joe has also typed that if Notre Dame Jeremiyah Love is somehow on the board when the Bucs pick at No. 15, Joe doesn’t know how they pass on the guy.)

So when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown at the combine this week on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” Licht made no secrets of what he thinks of the Bucs’ running back position.

JoeBucsFan.com: Is running back a need in the draft?

Jason Licht: Yeah! You want a good running game. You just can’t rely on one player. We definitely, that will be a position; we will have running backs on the roster, I promise you. So, we are not going into the season with one or two running backs or even three running backs [going] into training camp. We actually like some of the guys on our practice squad. but yeah, we will be looking for running backs.”

Now, how high up do the Bucs draft a running back if Love isn’t on the board at No. 15?

Would the Bucs dare to trade up into the second round to land Love’s teammate Jadarian Price? Joe isn’t sure trading up for a running back is very wise.

Could Washington YAC monster Jonah Coleman be available when the Bucs draft at No. 77 (third round pick)?

Licht was pretty direct with Joe: A running back is coming. When? That’s likely up to Licht.