The Bucs have re-signed running back Peyton Barber to a one-year, $630K contract through 2018, a league source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). As of this writing, he could be in the mix to start at running back, but the Bucs are expected to continue to explore their options. 
Barber, an Auburn product, missed the 53-man cut last year but was quickly added to the team’s practice squad after clearing waivers. Before the first game of the season, Barber earned a promotion to the varsity squad.
In 2017, Barber averaged 3.9 yards per carry with three touchdowns. He also added 16 catches for 114 yards. Barber becomes the second players on the Buccaneers offense to re-sign with the team this offseason, though it was for considerably less money. The team locked up wide receiver Mike Evans with a five-year, $82.5MM extension last week.
Barber did his best work late in the season including a 100+ yard performance against the Packers in early December. It served as the team’s first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Barber’s biggest competition for a starting role on the Buccaneers’ current roster would be Jacquizz Rodgers. Tampa Bay has already released Doug Martin and Charles Sims is due to become an unrestricted free agent.
It’s likely the Buccaneers could still be on the lookout for upgrades at running back after ranking No. 27 as a team last year with 1,450 yards rushing. Entering Tuesday, Tampa Bay ranked fifth in the NFL with $62.13MM in available cap space. Some of the top running backs set to hit the open market include DeMarco Murray, Jonathan Stewart, Danny Woodhead, Isaiah Crowell, Dion Lewis and Carlos Hyde.