Will Rachaad White be a Top-15 Fantasy RB in 2023? Fantasy Football Outlook

July 5, 2023

Will Rachaad White post a top-15 fantasy RB season as the Buccaneers' lead running back? Read the 2023 fantasy football outlook.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had a decent season as Leonard Fournette's backup in 2022 but is expected to be the lead ball carrier and receiver out of the backfield in 2023. The team's offense struggled mightily last season and might again in 2023, but White's pass-catching skill could elevate his fantasy value in PPR formats.

With the NFL season fast approaching, fantasy managers will need to identify the mid-round running back with real upside. The high-end elite RBs are drafted in the first few rounds, so White is in consideration for an RB2 spot on fantasy rosters.

Will White post a top-15 fantasy RB season in 2023? Let's dive in.

Rachaad White 2022 Season Review

In 17 games, the 2022 third-round pick rushed 129 times for 481 yards (3.7) YPC and caught 50 passes for 290 yards -- totaling three touchdowns. It was far from a spectacular rookie campaign, but the 24-year-old was a steady pass-catching and RB2 option behind Fournette. He ranked 12th among running backs in targets (58) and No. 2 in catch rate (86.2%).

Ultimately, neither of the Bucs' top two running backs were efficient on the ground, largely due to poor offensive line play and general shortcomings of the Tom Brady-led offense.

White finished his rookie campaign as the RB36 in PPR formats and logged just one 100-plus-yard rushing game.

Rachaad White 2023 Fantasy Outlook

Assuming Tampa Bay doesn't sign a veteran like Ezekiel Elliott or Kareem Hunt, White should command a big-time opportunity share in 2023. The Buccaneers' offense led by Baker Mayfield (or Kyle Trask) is expected to be a bottom-10 unit in the NFL, but White could be a valuable fantasy asset due to raw volume. Mayfield has received his fair share of criticism throughout his five-year NFL career, but he's an adequate passer in the short to intermediate areas of the field -- where White will see work as a receiver. Additionally, Mayfield will likely resort to a ton of check downs if Tampa Bay's offensive line struggles to protect the QB in 2023 once again.

All that said, White's ceiling will be limited by a lack of touchdown upside and offensive efficiency, but he could be in line to finish as a top-five RB in total targets. Since Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Chase Edmonds, and undrafted free agent Sean Tucker are the only other notable RBs on the roster, he should see plenty of work on the ground, too.

White is a viable selection at his RB25 price tag in PPR formats. He should provide a solid floor, but it'd be surprising if he's a top-10 fantasy RB. A top-15 finish is well within his range of outcomes. In standard leagues, he'll likely struggle to produce consistently.

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