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.