STRENGTHS
Bucky is a quick-footed, quick-vision, strong between-the-tackles running back who is an excellent fit in a spread system offense. He shows excellent vision, balance, and speed to make a big play once he gets into the second level of a defense. Bucky is the type of running back that defenses must account for on every play allowing for an offense, the option of run or pass on any down and distance. If you don’t tackle Bucky in the backfield he will make the needed yardage on third downs between the tackles or outside of the tackles. Bucky has good enough hands to be used on checkdowns and is dangerous when he gets the ball in open space. He shows excellent lateral agility to make players miss him and makes most of his cuts north and south gaining extra yardage when most running backs his size lose yardage. As I stated before, Bucky is a perfect fit type of running back, for a spread offense with the strength and quickness, despite his size, to run between the tackles or outside of the tackles.
CONCERNS
Most teams will downgrade him because of his size and lack of perfect running back weight to play in any style of offensive system. Also, Bucky most likely, isn’t the type of running back you use in the last 4 minutes to close out a game. Bucky is not a good pass-blocking back and struggles picking up the blitz because of his size and lack of pass-blocking passion.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.31
Bucky has to improve his blocking and gain the trust of the offensive coordinator to make blocks consistently, to become the impact player his talents suggest that he can become. Otherwise, he is just a specialty player who can impact, but not consistently. That being said, Bucky will make defenses concerned about his ability to break a big play, and the threat of the big play, is what an offense needs from that position. Bucky is not just a straight-line, hit the hole even if it’s not there, type of running back. He is shifty and strong and has the balance, and vision that makes it hard to tackle him between the tackles, and in open space. If Bucky improves his football IQ to understand third-down defenses and read the blitz like a quarterback, he can become an intriguing player for the offense of the team that selects him. Right now, it’s a mystery what round Bucky could be selected in but don’t let that fool you about his potential to impact in the right offense.
