The Bucs have kept on with virtual interviews during this draft process and had another with a running back. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, Tampa Bay met with Cincinnati running back Corey Kiner recently. Along with the Bucs, Kiner has met with the Commanders and 49ers, too.
This is the second running back that the Bucs have spoken to during these visits. The first being Phil Mafah from Clemson. They did not speak to Kiner at the NFL Scouting Combine. Tampa Bay also didn’t have any formal interviews with running backs either, but did talk to six different running backs informally.
What Corey Kiner Can Bring To Bucs
Corey Kiner was a very productive running back for the Bearcats in 2023 and 2024. He began his career playing one season fro LSU in a limited role, then transferred to Cincinnati and was a backup in his first year there. Kiner rushed for 1,047 yards in 20223, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt and scoring five touchdowns. The following season in 2024 he had 1,153 yards, 5.7 yards per attempt and four touchdowns.
What stands out about Kiner’s game is that he’s a running back that craves contact. He’ll initiate it on the go and has exceptional balance when hitting and bouncing off of a defender. Players have to make sure they wrap up when trying to tackle Kiner because he’ll burst right through any poor efforts and arm tackles when he’s running. Kiner can also be a patient runner who operates best in a zone blocking type of scheme.
Cincinnati RB Corey Kiner – Photo by: USA Today
Standing at 5-foot-9, he has borderline size to be a running back in this league. Finding the red zone was an issue over his career and there’s not much Kiner brings to the passing game either. Among all the running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft, he is considered to be a sixth- to seventh-round draft projection.
Since he is a late Day 3 that potentially could go undrafted, this meeting with the Bucs could very much be about the team showing interest in him if he were not selected. Tampa Bay has a great room at the running back position with Bucky Irving having a sensational rookie year rushing for 1,155 yards in 2024, plus a good backup and third-down player in Rachaad White. Additionally, third-year player Sean Tucker proved he can take over in a game if need be.
Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs also has second-year player D.J. Williams that will compete for another spot on the practice squad in 2025. He had some solid moments in the preseason and will look to improve this year.
They have their top level running back of the present and future with Irving. There are questions as to whether White would return to Tampa Bay after his contract year, plus they’ll need more development from Tucker.
The Bucs could opt to address that depth by bringing in another back this year or they could do it next year after addressing other areas of the team. Having Kiner would keep their depth in a good situation moving forward.
