Leonard Fournette | Regression Candidates Episode 2

The Buccaneers drafted running back Rachaad White in the 2022 draft. As expected, Fournette was still the starter to open the season.

However, White proved himself in a small amount of time. He got more playing time as the season went on.

Eventually, White ended up with a prominent role in the offense. He became a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield for Brady. The running back finished the season with 50 receptions.

Fournette had higher stats than the rookie, but White’s ability to catch passes flashed in a big way.

Even worse for Fournette is he lost his starting job to White halfway through the season. While Fournette typically had a higher snap percentage, the ascending White arrived.

White took over as the team’s leading rusher, out-gaining Fournette by over 100 yards after becoming the starting running back. 

However, the most damning part came in the playoffs. That is known as Fournette’s time of the year. His nickname is “Playoff Leonard Fournette” or “Playoff Lenny,” after all.

That nickname did not hold any meaning for this playoff run, however. Fournette ran the ball five times for 11 yards and had a catch for six yards.

Meanwhile, White ran for 30 more yards, had 30 more receiving yards, had three more catches and out-snapped the veteran running back by 13% in the most important game of the year.

White arrived in a big way in the back half of last season. As a result, Fournette lost his starting job and opportunities in the offense.

Now that Brady retired, there is no telling how potent the pass-catching running back role will be heading into the future. However, if the end of last year is anything to go by, White, seemingly, has the inside track on that role in the offense as well.

This leaves Fournette as a handcuff who likely doesn’t have a major, fantasy-starting role in the offense unless White gets injured.