One of the interesting turns of the draft came when the Buccaneers didn’t select a running back. They’re standing pat, apparently, with just Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones at the position.

Jones, of course, was historically awful as a rookie. They selected him in the second round, but if he had been a later-round pick, I don’t think he would have made the team. Including the preseason, he carried 51 times for 66 yards.

They’ve been talking him up, saying he just needs to get his confidence back, and while that kind of talk tends to ring hollow in the offseason, the draft serves as an indication that they have at least some confidence in a turnaround.

Barber (pictured) should be the starter. He had to fight his way into the league as an undrafted free agent; he’s a modest talent without much speed. But he runs hard. That was noticeable all along last season. Not much of a pass catcher, but their behavior during the draft indicates they’re comfortable with him as their featured back.

Bruce Arians has taken over that franchise, and history indicates it should be a pass-heavy offense. Probably top-10 in passing and bottom-5 in rushing. So expectations for Barber (and perhaps Jones at some point) should be modest.

Arians sat out last year, but he was running an offense for each of the previous 11 seasons (either as a head coach or a coordinator). Not many running backs on those teams finished with good numbers. David Johnson, of course, was the No. 1 back in all the land in 2016, but just one other top-10 back in the other 10 years (when Johnson ranked 7th in 2015). Just four other running backs finishing in the top 20 (Rashard Mendenhall twice, plus Andre Ellington and Willie Parker).

BRUCE ARIANS RUNNING BACKS (2007-2017)
YearPlayerRunRecTotal TDNoPPRRk
2016David Johnson, Ariz.1,2398792,1182080413.81
2010Rashard Mendenhall, Pitt.1,2731671,4401323245.011
2015David Johnson, Ariz.5814571,0381336217.87
2009Rashard Mendenhall, Pitt.1,1082611,369825209.916
2007Willie Parker, Pitt.1,3161641,480223183.020
2014Andre Ellington, Ariz.6603951,055546181.519
2011Rashard Mendenhall, Pitt.9281541,082918180.222
2008Mewelde Moore, Pitt.588320908640166.829
2013Andre Ellington, Ariz.6523711,023439165.327
2012Vick Ballard, Ind.814152966317131.633
2007Najeh Davenport, Pitt.499184683718128.338
2008Willie Parker, Pitt.7911380453113.446
2015Chris Johnson, Ariz.8145887236111.248
2011Isaac Redman, Pitt.4797855731891.748
2015Andre Ellington, Ariz.28914843731576.768
2012Donald Brown, Ind.417935101968.060
2017Kerwynn Williams, Ariz.4269351911067.971
2014Stepfan Taylor, Ariz.2087928741165.771
2009Mewelde Moore, Pitt.11815327122164.168
2010Mewelde Moore, Pitt.9920530402660.465
2009Willie Parker, Pitt.389644531657.373
2010Isaac Redman, Pitt.247723192952.969
2011Mewelde Moore, Pitt.15710426111143.184
2012Delone Carter, Ind.122131353132.591
2017Elijhaa Penny, Ariz.124381622432.289
2017D.J. Foster, Ariz.1913315201732.290
2016Andre Ellington, Ariz.968518101230.191
2016Kerwynn Williams, Ariz.15761632129.393
2013Alfonso Smith, Ariz.546812211028.294
2014Kerwynn Williams, Ariz.246112570227.797
2013Stepfan Taylor, Ariz.115711860826.698
2015Kerwynn Williams, Ariz.142161581223.8105
2007Carey Davis, Pitt.684911701223.796
2014Robert Hughes, Ariz.111401510823.1101
2017Chris Johnson, Ariz.114431570520.799
2017David Johnson, Ariz.2367900615.0110
2011Jonathan Dwyer, Pitt.12361290113.9102
2017Bronson Hill, Ariz.-20-200-.2150

(On the chart, you're looking at rushing yards, receiving yards, total yards, touchdowns, receptions, points using PPR scoring and rank among running backs that year.)

—Ian Allan