5 Best Running Backs in Tampa Bay Buccaneers History

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a surprisingly quiet history at running back. Very rarely have they had a consistently elite, game-changing player in the backfield, though the likes of James Wilder and Doug Martin at least provided plenty of highlights during their respective primes.

Still, they’ve nonetheless had some memorable running backs in their five decades as an NFL franchise.

To determine these rankings of the greatest rushers in team history, we looked at counting stats, team success, and the context of their time with the organization.

5. Michael Pittman (2002-2007)

A 1998 fourth-round pick of the Cardinals, Pittman signed with Tampa Bay ahead of its 2002 Super Bowl run. He was solid but unspectacular, rushing for nearly 3,400 yards and scoring 16 total touchdowns in six seasons.

The obvious knock against Pittman is that he never reached 1,000 rushing yards. So, why give him the No. 5 spot? Injuries got the better of Cadillac Williams, and Pittman played a key role on a Super Bowl-winning team. Sometimes, things are just that simple.

4. Warrick Dunn (1997-2001; 2008)

The No. 12 pick in 1997, Dunn earned Pro Bowl and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors by totaling 1,440 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.

Not the flashiest numbers, especially considering that he didn’t surpass 1,000 rushing yards, but it was good enough.

Dunn was always a steady starter, someone who fit into the above-average tier but not typically close to the top 10 running backs.

The strangest part about Dunn’s six seasons in Tampa Bay is easily his lack of touchdowns; eight of the 19 he scored came in 2000, his second Pro Bowl campaign.

3. Doug Martin (2012-2017)

Martin burst onto the scene with 1,454 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, though it went underappreciated given what Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Alfred Morris did elsewhere.

Injuries limited him to less than 1,000 rushing yards combined over the next two years, and questions mounted about him potentially being the Buccaneers’ latest first-round disappointment.

Then came 2015, when Martin earned first-team All-Pro honors after rushing for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns. Those were the end of Martin’s highlights, though. He signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract in March 2016 but lost out on $15 million guaranteed after a positive drug test.

On the field, Martin played in only 19 games over the next two years, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt and being released in February 2018. Martin died in police custody in October 2025 following an incident where he entered a neighbor’s home.

2. James Wilder (1981-1989)

Wilder is among the more underappreciated players in Buccaneers history, and we’re not sure why.

Playing both running back and fullback, the 1981 second-round pick had two 1,300-rushing-yard seasons and averaged 388 receiving yards over his nine years in Tampa Bay.

Previously an all-conference standout at Missouri, Wilder received Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 1984, and his 5,957 rushing yards remain the most in team history. So who earned the top spot instead of him?

1. Mike Alstott (1996-2006)

Before you argue that Alstott should be ineligible because he played fullback, let’s not forget how pivotal he was to the Buccaneers’ offense as a rusher.

Only Wilder has more carries than Alstott, who averaged 3.7 yards on 1,359 attempts. When you touch the ball that much, you absolutely deserve a spot on our list. I mean, look at these highlights.

One of the greatest fullbacks in history, Alstott was a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro — three of those being first-team nods — in 11 seasons. He rushed for at least 600 yards in four separate seasons, and he also averaged over 200 receiving yards.

If you’re able to find a working copy of the PS2 era “Madden” games, go build an offense with Michael Vick at quarterback and Alstott at fullback. You’re welcome.

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