Bucky Irving

Bucky Irving enters the 2025 fantasy football season with a lot of momentum and a strong case as a reliable RB1, especially considering his impressive rookie campaign. In 2024, he finished as the RB14 overall with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 8 touchdowns, demonstrating efficiency and big-play ability, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and owning a top-10 rushing success rate for rookies. His role expanded as he took more goal-to-go snaps, showing solid potential to build on that success now that he is poised to inherit a larger workload with Rachaad White likely departing Tampa Bay.

Despite some uncertainty with a new offensive coordinator—Tampa Bay’s fourth different coordinator in as many years—Irving has proven himself adaptable and ready to step up. His talent shines through in both rushing and receiving facets, with 47 catches last year complementing his ground game. Though the Buccaneers may aim to manage his workload due to his smaller stature at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Irving’s recent comments emphasize his team-first mentality and openness to any role the offense requires, which bodes well for his playing time and fantasy value.

Fantasy analysts are optimistic about Irving’s 2025 outlook, projecting him as a solid second or early third-round pick in drafts. His ability to produce with efficiency and his high involvement in the red zone make him a high-floor, high-ceiling option at running back. The potential for a "2024 Jahmyr Gibbs level" season has been mentioned, highlighting his upside if he can secure 250+ carries. Even with some competition in the backfield, he stands out among his peers for a breakout sophomore season in both standard and PPR formats.

Injury-wise, there are no major concerns currently impacting Irving’s availability or expected performance this year, aside from occasional load management mentioned by Tampa Bay staff to keep him fresh. His durability seems solid considering the workload he handled late in his rookie season and into the playoffs, where he maintained a significant touch share. Overall, Bucky Irving is positioned as one of 2025’s most exciting young running backs and a prime candidate to lead Tampa Bay’s ground game and fantasy backfields nationwide.

Updated 08/23/2025