Rookie Profile: Bucky Irving, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is the Rookie Profile for Mar’Keise “Bucky” Irving, Oregon RB. Irving, a 4-star rated prospect and the 13th-ranked running back in the 2021 class, graduated from Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Illinois.
Irving joined Minnesota as a freshman and made an impressive start. He accumulated 772 yards on 141 touches and scored 4 touchdowns in 12 games. He quickly became a regular on the field and was vital to the offense. However, he felt his abilities could have been utilized more effectively, so he transferred to the University of Oregon for the 2022 season.
Irving has proven himself again by making an immediate impact in a new situation. The difference in Oregon was that it allowed Irving to showcase his talent in the passing game, and he did exceptionally well. He led Oregon in touches with 187 yards from scrimmage with 1,357 and finished second in touchdowns with 8.
In 2023, Irving returned to Oregon to chase a national championship for the team. Although the team couldn’t quite make it, Irving was a valuable asset to the program. He led Oregon in touches with 242 yards from scrimmage with 1,593 and came second in touchdowns with 13.
On December 11, 2023, Bucky Irving officially announced his decision to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Irving had a lackluster NFL combine, with a 2.22 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) that pushed his draft stock to day 3. Tampa Bay selected Irving with the 125th pick in the 4th round of the NFL Draft.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 4 Pick 125
- Considering everything, Bucky Irving’s selection as the sixth running back shows just how talented he is. While being chosen in the fourth round doesn’t guarantee playing time for Bucky, it gives him an opportunity to establish a role on the team, whether it’s on special teams or offense.
Landing Spot – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Landing in Tampa is good for Bucky as Chase Edmonds is the only real competition for touches behind starter Rachaad White. Rachaad is the best pass catcher on the roster and will hold onto that role. Bucky can carve out an opportunity as a rusher on the offense. If Rachaad is once again inefficient as a rusher, there is room for Bucky to play a role as soon as this season.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Backup Running Back
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Bucky Irving is a smaller running back known for his elusiveness, as indicated by his .375 missed tackles forced per touch, ranking him third-best in the 2024 class. He is expected to compete for the backup job in his first year, with the potential to outperform Edmonds and become a better rusher than White, potentially impacting his playing time. Despite the challenges he faces, Bucky is seen as a worthwhile third-round rookie pick, but there are other picks with better potential in that range.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe Sneak Peek Video of Bucky Irving
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
