Will Rachaad White Have An Expanded Role In Tampa Bay's Passing Game? Fantasy Football Outlook

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had an impressive rookie season in 2022. With Leonard Fournette cut this offseason, the second-year back will be the Buccaneers' starter in Week 1. Does that mean he'll have an expanded role? What does that mean for his fantasy numbers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had an impressive rookie season in 2022. He put up 771 yards from scrimmage on 179 touches and three touchdowns. He finished as the RB36 in PPR formats and averaged just under 8.2 fantasy points per game. 

White was stuck behind veteran Leonard Fournette to begin the season but eventually took over the RB1 job in Tampa Bay before the team's Week 11 bye. With Fournette cut this offseason, the second-year back will be the Buccaneers' starter in Week 1. 

Does that mean he'll have an expanded role? What does that mean for his fantasy numbers?

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Will Rachaad White Have An Expanded Role In Tampa Bay's Passing Game?

The departure of Fournette will surely help open up more opportunities for the 24-year-old running back. The Buccaneers also didn't add much competition behind White in the running back room in free agency or during the draft. 

Tampa Bay drafted zero running backs with eight draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. So, the team will roll with White, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, and newly signed Chase Edmonds. Vaughn remains with the team after only having 20 touches last season, and Edmonds has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons. 

So, it appears White will be in line for a large workload. He also went on Fantasy Sports Radio and said there will be "a lot of balls coming my way" this season. He then talked about how he played slot receiver in high school. 

It appears the Buccaneers plan to give White an expanded role in the receiving game this season and could line him up occasionally in the slot, which could skyrocket his fantasy value.

Rachaad White Fantasy Football Outlook

If the Buccaneers plan to give White an expanded role in the offense, he can take his game to the next level in just his second season. 

When Fournette went down and missed Week 12 with an injury, White showcased his potential in the RB1 role. He had 14 carries for 64 yards and nine catches for 45 yards and finished with 19.9 PPR fantasy points. 

White can replicate that same type of success in 2023 as the lead back in Tampa's offense. He was an occasional flex play toward the end of last season while splitting with Fournette. But, with the Buccaneers planning to get the 24-year-old back more involved in the receiving game, he'll be a high-end RB2 in fantasy -- even on a team that may struggle offensively this season.

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