Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White is officially inactive, Bucky Irving to draw the start.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting running back Rachaad White is set to miss Sunday’s matchup vs Saints. White was struggling averaging 3.7 yards per carry, he will now get replaced by Bucky Irving, who was already cutting into White’s workload will now get it all.
Bucky Irving have a heavy workload this weekend, he is averaging almost 50 rushing yards per game, but he will now get work as the receiving back. Irving should produce good numbers in PPR formats. Look for White to come back Week 7 back to his starting role.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe)...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe)...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe)...
Running back Bucky Irving is expected to play this week while Jalen McMillan is trending towards not playing.
The pair of rookies have divergent expectations for this week as Bucky Iriving is trending towards playing while Jalen McMillan is looking doubtful for the week. The Buccaneers play the Philadelphia Eagles at home in week 4.
Bucky Irving has gained plenty of steam in redraft and dynasty leagues as he has been cutting into Rachaad White’s opportunity share in the Buccaneers backfield. Irving has an impressive 5.6 true yards per carry and 6.1 yards per touch which ranks No. 5 at the running back position. Irving’s 80.4 run blocking rating is 4th at the position which is helping eat into White’s workload.
Jalen McMillan, who had an impressive touchdown reception in week 1 has had a meager target share. Use this opportunity to include Jalen McMillin as a throw-in to a deal in dynasty leagues. Between an aging Mike Evans and growth for McMillan, expect there to be more maturation for the Buccaneers rookie wide receiver.
Irving is a name to monitor in training camp, as he may not have a large role for the Buccaneers in 2024.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles made it known that their backfield order is to-be-determined behind Rachaad White as the RB1. 4th-round rookie Bucky Irving was extremely productive at Oregon, but had disappointing athletic testing and is undersized at 5’9″ 192 lbs. As The Coachspeak Index points out, no sub-200 lb running back on a Todd Bowles team has ever had more than 3 carries in a single season.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t jump the gun to assume Irving is an automatic handcuff for White. He remains an explosive unknown with potential upside, but expectations need to be tempered regarding Irving’s ability to be a fantasy contributor in 2024. All signs point to another year of extremely high usage for Rachaad White.
Tampa Bay adds much-needed depth behind second-year starter Rachaad White.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added another promising weapon to their potent offense, selecting former Oregon star running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Irving produced his best college season in 2023, a campaign in which he rushed for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging a stellar 6.3 yards per carry.
Although Bucky Irving possesses a slight frame compared to other NFL running backs at 5’10,” 195 pounds, his unique blend of speed and elusiveness make him a threat on both the ground and in the receiving game. Still just 21 years old, Irving steadily improved in each of his three college seasons (one at Minnesota, two at Oregon) and played a big part in Oregon’s run to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
While Rachaad White figures to remain the starter in Tampa Bay after a strong 2023 season, Irving should be able to compete for the backup spot, which was previously held by the oft-injured Chase Edmonds. Although he might begin the season on waivers in most fantasy leagues, Irving merits late-round consideration in all formats and is especially appealing in dynasty.
Oregon Running Back Bucky Irving is hoping his game film will overcome the disappointing combine performance.
Bucky Irving, prolific running back out of Oregon measured in at 5’9″ and weighed 192 lbs. He ran a disappointing 4.55 40-yard dash for his size.
Bucky Irving had two great years at Oregon after transferring from Minnesota. Running for over a 1,000 yard and at least 35 catches in each of his seasons as a Duck. He led all running back with 53 receptions in 2023.
Fantasy players around the world were surprised by Irving’s combine numbers. Due to his receiving prowess he will have some value as a 3rd down back for an NFL team. Irving will be a late round stash in fantasy drafts.
