Buccaneers looking toward James White as Fournette replacement

With Leonard Fournette possibly gone, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pivoting toward James White among options to fill out their backfield.

Leonard Fournette is a free agent on the heels of being “Playoff Lenny” during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run. It seems most likely he’ll be gone, leaving a void in the Buccaneers’ backfield.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Buccaneers are among the teams with interest in free agent running back James White.

White has spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New England Patriots, highlighted by an MVP-worthy performance (though he didn’t get the award) in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons (139 total yards with the game-winning rushing score).

Overall, White has been a very productive pass catcher out of the backfield, with at least 49 receptions in five straight seasons and 60 or more catches in three of four seasons from 2016-19.

Will James White become latest to reunite with Tom Brady?

White of course spent his first six seasons with Tom Brady in New England. His best season came in 2018, with 87 catches (on 123 targets), 1,173 yards from scrimmage (751 receiving) and 12 total touchdowns (seven receiving, five rushing). With the mouths to feed in Tampa Bay there’s no way a running back will get more than 120 targets. But Brady clearly trusted White, and as the Buccaneers look to possibly replace Fournette that will matter.

Unless Fournette is replaced notably, Ronald Jones is line to become the Buccaneers’ lead back in 2021. White would of course not be a parallel replacement for Fournette’s skill set, but rather a supplemental piece with chops in the passing game to pair with Jones.

The Buccaneers are making every effort to keep the band together for a run at a repeat. With two New England Super Bowl rings in his pocket, White might be in for a reunion tour with Brady as his market starts to take shape.