Buccaneers add Ke'Shawn Vaughn to backfield in Round 3

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 76th overall.

The Buccaneers favored Vaughn over a trade for Leonard Fournette of the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Vaughn will join a backfield in Tampa Bay led by Ronald Jones II, who hasn't lived up to the expectations that accompanied him as a second-round pick in 2018.

Prospect Profile

School: Vanderbilt
Height: 5-10
Weight: 214 lbs

Positives

• Productive career in the SEC despite playing on an inconsistent offense
• Ideal size and frame
• Great vision - makes quick decisions and bursts through the gap
• Physical runner who is difficult to bring down due to a strong body and good contact balance
• Has enough speed to run away from defenders
• Improved his output as a receiver in his senior year

Negatives

• Overall athleticism doesn't compare favorably to others in his class
• Below-average lateral quickness and his cuts won't wow anyone
• Has the ability to catch the ball underneath but wasn't used often in the passing game
• Pass-protection technique needs polishing
• Not very elusive in the open field

Bottom line

Vaughn is a no-nonsense tailback that could eventually develop into an early-down runner in the NFL. Vision and instincts are his best traits, so he fits best into an inside-zone scheme where he can choose his gap early and burst through it. Vaughn currently lacks skills in the passing game, so he's more of a late-round developmental project.