NFL Draft 2011: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Looking for a Back Behind LeGarrette Blount

There were more than a couple hundred players taken in last year's NFL draft, one of which was not LeGarrette Blount, the running back out of Oregon whose draft stock fell through the floor with one swing at Boise State's Byron Hout after the Broncos beat the Ducks in their 2009 opener.

After throwing another punch at a Titans practice (Tennessee picked him up as a free agent), Blount was once again without a team. Seeing the potential in him, Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik decided to take a chance on Blount. Boy, did that pay off.

Blount went on to lead all rookies in rushing yards and was a workhorse for the Buccaneers most of the season, showing power but also agility while leaping over defenders that attempted to tackle him low.

With many still concerned about the production behind Blount, there is a solid chance that the Bucs could go after a running back in this year's draft.

Cadillac Williams was more of a blocking back last year, and even though he excelled at that, his running game did not quite do the same. Injuries are also a concern, as always with Williams, and there's no telling when he could have more leg problems.

So the question might not be as much if, but when the Bucs will choose a back in the draft to be behind Blount or complement him. There is a fair share of running backs to choose from, but it's hard to tell where the Bucs plan to take a player from the position. They may not know yet themselves.

Mark Ingram supposedly made a trip to One Buc Place, which has been sparking fellow bloggers and site writers to speculate that he may be back in Tampa Bay near the end of the month as their first-round draft choice.

While I think the Bucs have confidence in Blount to carry the running load, two-headed running systems have worked many a time on the NFL. Add in the fact that Williams will be a free agent, and suddenly you're a bit weaker at the position than first thought.

While Ingram may be too high for the Bucs, seeing as they need a defensive end over any other position, there's a chance the Bucs take a back a round or two later. Kendall Hunter out of Oklahoma State would probably be available in the second round if the Bucs wanted to take a runner then.

If they choose to wait another round, filling a possible need at outside linebacker or corner, they could pluck Jacquizz Rodgers in the third round, with his great intangibles and competitiveness, or Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray, who could also be a receiving back for Tampa Bay.

With Earnest Graham most likely remaining at fullback and the potential of Williams leaving, all that's left behind Blount is Kareem Huggins and Gregg Lumpkin. Last preseason was a good one for Huggins, and the Bucs could be just fine with him as the next-in-line back.

Lumpkin was claimed off waivers just before last season, but there's not a whole lot anyone knows about the former Georgia Bulldog. With that said, I think it would be in the Bucs' best interest to let Williams leave in free agency and draft a running back between the third and fifth rounds.

Murray, Rodgers and maybe even former Pitt dynamo Dion Lewis would still be up for grabs come Tampa Bay's pick in the third round. The fourth round would not be as stocked with up-to-par talent, unless the Bucs were to swipe away UConn's Jordan Todman or former Big East opponent Delone Carter from Syracuse.

The fifth round would provide a bevy of potential backs, Bilal Powell being the name I hear the most out of the bunch to possibly be heading to Tampa. However, I think the selection should be Kentucky's Derrick Locke.

Seeing him play time and time again as an SEC fanatic, Locke brings certain things to the table that the Bucs could use. With all of Blount's power, Locke has speed and more speed. He also has superb vision.

The worry with him is he's a bit injury prone, so he shouldn't be used as an every-down back. But the point is he wouldn't be with the Bucs. He would provide relief for Blount, and though he won't break many tackles like Blount, he could be the lightning to his thunder, in a way.

Locke was very solid in the return game for the Wildcats, giving him some versatility. He's also considered a tough blocker, which would fill the void left by Williams. Overall, the Bucs would be wise to take a shot with him in the fifth round.

But that's just one of among millions of views of what the Bucs could do with their running back position come draft day. Until that day, fact and reality will continue to be replaced by speculation and rumor.