NFL Beat Writer Says One NFC Team Has Clear Role for Ezekiel Elliott
With former quarterback Tom Brady retired, the Buccaneers are starting over again from square one.
Tampa Bay is in the process of rebuilding an offense that struggled even with Brady, limping to a 25th-place finish in scoring offense in 2022.
However, Rick Stroud, the Buccaneers beat writer for The Tampa Bay Times, believes another veteran free agent could potentially find a home with Tampa Bay in former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
"What they really could use... is a short-yardage guy and a guy that has the veteran experience," Stroud told 92.9 The Game, Atlanta's CBS Sports Radio affiliate, on Friday. "When you think about what (Elliott) is now, he can do everything. He’s a ferocious blocker, he’s good in short yardage, and his numbers are down simply because he’s not going to get the carries and the attempts, but he still had (12) touchdowns last year.”
Elliott's role with Dallas gradually declined over the years, but the Ohio State product made three Pro Bowls and won two rushing titles from 2016-19.
Stroud expressed that the Buccaneers' running back room is uniquely positioned to take advantage of Elliott's skill set.
"They’ve got Rachaad White, who is going to be their RB1," Stroud said. "After that, they’ve got a bunch of guys who are sort of third down backs, whether it’s Chase Edmonds or Ke'Shawn Vaughn."
Elliott remains unsigned nearly two months into the new league year.