Bucky Irving enjoyed a productive two-year career at Oregon, escalating his numbers for three straight seasons after starting his college football journey at Minnesota. He transferred to Oregon in 2022, rushing for over 1,000 yards and five TDs in his first season as a Duck. He was uber-efficient, finishing the year as PFF's sixth-highest graded rusher averaging the ninth-most yards after contact (4.36). Also posted the sixth-highest elusive rating in the nation. Forcing missed tackles is Irving's main calling card - 40% missed tackles rate per touch in 2023. He can also be relied on in the passing game after leading all FBS RBs in receptions (55) on the second-most routes run (330). The major question when it comes to Irving's prospects in fantasy is size. He's a smaller RB compared to the majority of RBs in this class at 5-foot-9 and 192 pounds. His 17% career dominator rating suggests he will never be a true three-down RB but more of a committee back who wins with efficiency. His 3.11 yards per play rank in the top five in the class. My favorite comparables for Irving include Darren Sproles, Austin Ekeler and Danny Woodhead. In the right situation, Irving could be a fantasy football star. He's a souped-up jitterbug RB archetype, which can be successful in the correct NFL systems.
He didn't test crazy - 4.55 40-yard dash - which is somewhat concerning given he is on the lighter/smaller size. His jumps were poor as well with the last-placed vertical jump at 29.5″ and a mediocre broad jump at 115 inches.
The Buccaneers the undersized, unathletic RB on Day 3. Possibly, he eats into Rachaad White's target share. Irving is quicker than fast with a Devin Singletary comparison. Considering the Buccaneers could have drafted a big back to vulture goal-line TDs instead, I'd be satisfied with Irving as the RB2 behind White. However, this needs to be addressed. Bucs Assistant GM John Spytek told reporters new Buccaneers OC Liam Coen was part of the decision to draft Irving.
This is noteworthy as Coen did not take his former RB - Ray Davis - in Round 4 (who went a few picks later to Buffalo), whom he coached at Kentucky in 2023. Instead, they stuck to their board and selected Irving. Perhaps not great for White's three-down workload he benefitted from in 2023. Jason Licht and Todd Bowles have expressed their hope to lessen the load for White in 2024. Irving seems like part of this plan.
by in FantasyMay 7, 2024