Bucky Irving began his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a modest pace but finished strong as the team’s clear lead running back. As he enters his sophomore year, fantasy football managers are considering whether to target Irving early in their drafts. His proven ability to produce points in real <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL games positions him as a valuable option in Bucky Irving fantasy football draft strategies.
Despite a slow start shadowed by teammate Rachaad White, Irving emerged as Tampa Bay’s primary back after the team realized White struggled with ball security and effectiveness as a runner. Head coach Todd Bowles recognized Irving’s talent, and the rookie took over the starting role by midseason.
Irving’s Performance and Efficiency Metrics
Last year, Irving outperformed expectations for a third-round rookie pick, finishing as the RB19 overall with an average of 14.4 PPR fantasy points per game. However, these numbers are skewed by his limited early-season playtime. From the sixth week through the regular season’s end, his average climbed to 16.9 points per game. After the Buccaneers’ Week 11 bye, this average further increased to 18.3, and excluding a subpar performance in Week 14 due to injury, his scoring rate soared to 20.9 points per game.
While volume is typically critical for running backs to succeed in fantasy formats, Irving differentiated himself through elite efficiency. He posted a 49.6% opportunity share across the season and ranked fifth in the league with 6.0 yards per touch. His evaded tackles rate was also impressive, placing third in the NFL at 29.5% per touch. These metrics signal a highly productive back who makes the most of his opportunities, an advantage for fantasy owners seeking dependable scoring.
The Buccaneers benefit from one of the league’s strongest run-blocking offensive lines, producing an average of 1.04 adjusted yards before contact per rush, ranking seventh overall. Combined with Tampa Bay’s vulnerable defense and a division prone to high-scoring games, Irving is well-positioned for a breakout year as the featured back.
Fantasy managers are already aware of Irving’s upside, as reflected by his RB9 average draft position (ADP), typically being chosen by the end of the second round. Fantasy analysts rank him highly, and while securing him depends on draft positioning, Irving is an essential target in most leagues.
Expert Insights on Irving’s Role and Outlook
Analyst Frank Ammirante highlights how Irving secured the starting role down the stretch last season, averaging 15.3 fantasy points per game from Week 6 onward—ranking him RB11 during that span. This workload shift was evident in the Buccaneers’ playoff game against the Washington Commanders, where Irving received 19 touches compared to Rachaad White’s single touch.
Coaching changes have done little to threaten Irving’s role. Even with Liam Coen’s departure as the offensive playcaller, the promotion of Josh Grizzard from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator ensures continuity in Tampa Bay’s offensive approach. This stability suggests Irving will continue to dominate touches and opportunities.
Irving’s combination of elusiveness, pass-catching ability, and usage in an offense likely to engage in shootouts makes him an enticing option for fantasy football drafts, particularly in the second round. This profile fits the mold of a versatile back who can rack up points both on the ground and through the air.
Implications for Fantasy Football Managers Targeting Irving
With Todd Bowles committing to Irving as the lead back, the Buccaneers’ offensive system supporting his strengths, and the team’s situational advantages in the 2025 season, fantasy managers should view Irving as a cornerstone running back option. His high efficiency metrics combined with a confirmed heavy workload predict a significant fantasy output.
While his ADP puts him near the top of the running back class, the potential rewards from drafting Irving appear to outweigh the risks given his demonstrated talent and role security. For owners looking to build a strong running back corps, targeting Bucky Irving early in fantasy football drafts aligns with maximizing both value and scoring potential.