Bucky Irving Emerges as Key Player for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucky Irving, the rookie running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been making significant waves in the NFL, particularly in the fantasy football landscape. According to Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, Irving has earned more snaps going forward, a testament to his impressive performance so far this season.

Irving, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has already accumulated 154 yards on 25 carries. His recent outing against the New Orleans Saints was particularly noteworthy, where he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, and caught two passes for 24 yards. This performance solidified his position as a key contributor to the Buccaneers’ offense.

In Week 7, Irving is expected to continue his role as the lead back, despite a challenging matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who boast one of the toughest run defenses in the league. Irving played 65% of the snaps overall, 73% of the passing down snaps, and had an 84% snap rate in the red zone in his last game, indicating his increasing importance in the team’s strategy.

Fantasy football experts are advising managers to start Irving without hesitation, especially given his efficiency on a per-touch basis. He ranks second in explosive run rate, fifth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and fourth in yards after contact per attempt among qualifying backs.

The Buccaneers’ running back situation is complex, with Rashad White‘s injury status and the emergence of Sean Tucker also in the mix. However, Irving’s current form and increased playing time make him a compelling choice for fantasy lineups).