Kenneth Gainwell Is Bucs’ New 'Threat' On Offense

The Buccaneers have been excellent at running counter for the last few seasons, and Gainwell should fit in well as his start-stop ability and cutting skills line up well for this type of run.

Could Kenneth Gainwell’s Arrival Signal A Change In Running Scheme?

Kenneth Gainwell’s superpower in the running game is as an outside zone runner. For a running back with plus vision, light feet and the ability to cut and shift, and wins on the perimeter like Gainwell, outside zone is an excellent scheme fit.

The Buccaneers have flirted with this type of running style for several years. Both Dave Canales and Liam Coen tried to implement a mid-zone system, but the offense couldn’t execute well enough and Coen switched the team to more of a duo gap-based system. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is a wide zone acolyte. If he wants to get Tampa Bay’s offense back to a wide zone influence Gainwell is a fantastic choice.

According to Sports Information Solutions Gainwell had 22 carries classified as either wide zone, stretch or sweep. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry and 0.25 EPA/carry on those runs.

Kenneth Gainwell In The Passing Game

With the departure of Rachaad White, the Bucs lost a major part of their passing game. He ranks eighth in receptions and seventh in receiving yards among all running backs over the past three years. Additionally, he is one of the best pass protecting backs in the NFL, ranking fifth in the NFL among qualifying backs in 2024.

Gainwell helps fill the some of that void. He was in the top five last year in both catches and receiving yards. He has good hands and can create after the catch, although he doesn’t force as many missed tackles as White did. White had an innate ability to work through contact and keep his balance while working forward. Gainwell doesn’t have the strength to work through contact, but he can shift back and forth and corrupt pursuit angles.

Now the Buccaneers are losing something in the pass protection game with the departure of White. Gainwell is a very willing blocker but his lack of mass and light feet prevents him from being able to step up and stone blitzers like White can.

Bucs Add “A Threat” With Kenneth Gainwell

Ultimately, what the team has lost in pass protection with Rachaad White it has gained in playmaking with Kenneth Gainwell, who described himself as “a threat” at his introductory press conference. White was a capable runner who could get what was blocked up for him. Yet Gainwell is more of a creator who can make things happen.

He’s got more juice as a runner while providing similar upside as a receiver. Gainwell gives the team a higher ceiling as a compliment to Bucky Irving. And in a league where building a good stable of running backs is all the rage right now, the Bucs have ensured they have a solid room with Irving, Gainwell and Sean Tucker.