Rookie RB Michael Smith has rushed 13 times for 69 yards (5.31 YPC) and caught two passes for 16 yards in the Bucs' last two preseason games. A deep sleeper like Daryl Richardson in St. Louis, Smith possesses blinding 4.33 jets and runs physically for a 5-foot-9, sub-210-pound alleged scatback. Beat writer Stephen Holder believes the Bucs "may be onto something with Smith," who is "very willing to take on tacklers and run through them if necessary."

Bucs seventh-round RB Michael Smith has looked more like a "complete back" as his reps increase. The coaching staff knew all about Smith's 4.33 forty jets, but they've been pleasantly surprised with his power. A deep Dynasty league stash, Smith has a chance to open the season third on the depth chart at tailback.

Bucs seventh-round RB Michael Smith said he should not be boxed into a third-down role. Smith has decent size at 5'9/209 and also ran a 4.33 at the Combine. If he didn't play behind Robert Turbin at Utah State, he likely would have come off the board before the seventh round. Smith needs to prove himself in pass protection, but is a good bet to stick as the Bucs' No. 3 back. He'll have a shot at early-down work if Doug Smith or LeGarrette Blount go down.

Buccaneers signed seventh-round RB Michael Smith to a four-year contract. A potential diamond in the rough, Smith would have been a higher pick had he not spent his senior season rotating with 2011 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Robert Turbin. Smith can fly (4.33), shows no fear inside the tackles, and doesn't possess subpar size (5'9/207). Smith could surprise and push LeGarrette Blount hard for the No. 2 back job behind Doug Martin. GM Mark Dominik revealed after the draft that an undisclosed team offered Tampa a 2013 sixth-round pick for Smith's rights. The Bucs liked Smith's tape too much to part ways so quickly.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano describes seventh-round RB Michael Smith as a back who "jump(s) off the tape at you" in games. Smith was one of Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris' favorite backs in the draft. "Every time (GM) Mark (Dominik) and I watched tape, (Smith) would jump off the tape at you, just a different kind of speed than everybody else on the field," said Schiano. "... Speed wins. This guy brings quite a bit of that." Smith ran a 4.33 at his Pro Day at 5'9/206. He shouldn't struggle to win the Bucs' No. 3 back job behind Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount.