FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Will Bucky Irving Continue To Dominate Buccaneers Backfield?

By Jared Smola | Updated on Fri, May 23 2025 12:53 PM UTC

Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard envisions the 2025 backfield looking similar to how it did at the end of the 2024 campaign. “I would say how we ended last season was essentially where we would take off," Grizzard said. "There’s a spot for all three of those guys (Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker)."

What They're Saying

More from Grizzard: "You saw what Bucky Irving did in his rookie year. Rachaad White brings pass-catching to the table and even brings something to the run game. Rachaad is a really good route-runner, we all know he’s really good with the ball in his hands on screens, and he’s as close to the best pass-protecting RB in the NFL. Sean Tucker has looked really good in the drills we’re doing right now. So, hoping to see an increased role for Sean as well."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Grizzard talked up White and Tucker ... but it was Irving dominating work late last season.

Over the final five games (including playoffs), Irving averaged:

17.4 carries
92.8 rushing yards
3.2 targets
2.6 catches
19.6 receiving yards
0.4 TDs

Irving's 17.4 PPR points per game over that span would have ranked ninth among RBs on the season.

White totaled 25 carries and 13 targets over those five games, with just 10 carries over the final four. Tucker toted it 17 times and drew one target — but didn't play on offense in the playoff loss.

We wouldn't bank on the 195-pound Irving averaging 17.4 carries over the course of an entire season. But if the Bucs plan on featuring him in the backfield — and they should! — he's certainly capable of returning RB1 production for fantasy teams.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks sixth among 158 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.