Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Bucky Irving Is NFL’s Most Elusive – Sports Illustrated

Former Oregon Ducks running back Bucky Irving is having a memorable rookie season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound rookie running back is making his mark on an NFL playoff contending team and has a much more established role than previously thought when he was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft Irving dispels pre-draft concerns about his natural size play by play as he finds his footing at the NFL level.

Irving has been an integral part of the Buccaneers offense, especially in recent weeks. In eight games, Irving has 76 attempts for 395 yards, three touchdowns and 5.2 yards per attempt. According to NFL Next-Gen Stats, Irving also has a 44.7 percent forced fumble rate, the highest in the NFL. Buckeye also has 20 receptions for 164 yards. Amazingly, of those 96 total touches, 27 went for first downs. 28 percent of the time Irving touches the ball, it turns into a first down.

“When I first got out there, it was pretty fast-paced, but I feel like the more you play, it slows down a lot … it’s at any level you play … once you understand how defenses play, how fast things go, it’s just you get a rhythm and everything slows down for you,” Irving said of his growing comfort at the NFL level.

Irving is literally the most elusive ball carrier in the NFL right now, and with the loss of pro Chris Godwin for the season and pro Mike Evans for the foreseeable future, Irving’s role in the Buccaneers offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to increase even more. to maximize the unique skill set he possesses. Irving shares the backfield with running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but Irving has emerged as the leading player for the Buccaneers’ offensive backfield.

The Buccaneers are in the thick of the playoff hunt at 4-4. After a tough loss against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, the Falcons moved to 4-0 in the division, which for all intents and purposes wraps up the division race midway through the regular season. Barring a catastrophic collapse by the Falcons, the Buccaneers are lobbying for a wild-card spot the rest of the way. If they are to achieve their goal and make the playoffs, Bucky Irving’s contribution will be paramount.

Irving and Tampa Bay then take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium.