Bucky Irving vs Emeka Egbuka

“8 | Diff: +3 Over the last two seasons, with Bucky Irving in town, Rachaad White was a more effective per-touch player, but with Irving out of the lineup last year, he proved again that he can carry the mail (although while being horribly inefficient).”

“Bucky Irving ‘s rookie season was as impressive as they come, considering his draft capital (125th overall).”

“Bucky Irving was the only top-12 drafted RB to miss more than two games.”

“Top-12 Drafted RBs in 2025 RB 2025 ADP 2024 Finish 2025 Games Played Bijan Robinson RB1 RB3 17 Saquon Barkley RB2 RB13 16 Jahmyr Gibbs RB3 RB4 17 Christian McCaffrey RB4 RB1 17 Derrick Henry RB5 RB7 17 Ashton Jeanty RB6 RB12 17 Josh Jacobs RB7 RB15 15 De’Von Achane RB8 RB6 16 Jonathan Taylor RB9 RB2 17 Bucky Irving RB10 RB33 10 Chase Brown RB11 RB8 17 Kyren Williams RB12 RB9 17 2025 RB Health Last season, nine out of 12 top RBs drafted finished as an RB1, resulting in a mostly chalky season at the top for RBs.”

“Bucky Irving checks all the boxes when it comes to identifying a true “buy low” player.”

“After finishing his rookie season as the RB13, averaging 14.4 PPR fantasy points per game, Bucky Irving regressed last year and struggled to stay healthy, missing seven contests. Furthermore, Irving had offseason shoulder surgery and might not be fully ready for training camp.”

“Irving finished dead last in that metric among qualifying running backs last season, which sounds damning, but he ranked sixth in the same metric in 2024. The difference is the offensive line: Tampa Bay’s line ranked second in adjusted line yards during Irving’s rookie season and collapsed to 22nd last year due to injuries.”

“Even before the injury that sidelined him, Irving averaged just 3.3 yards per carry while ranking 32nd in explosive yards, 45th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 33rd in runs for first downs at his position. With Tampa Bay deploying a full rotation of backs, it feels extremely hard to replicate.”

“Bucky Irving is a favorite draft target in the fifth round based on ADP.”

“With his second season being muddied with injuries and mental well-being issues, he enters his third season as a true fantasy question mark. This offseason, the Buccaneers gave Kenneth Gainwell a substantial contract and also brought back Sean Tucker. If both of these backs stick to their respective roles, we are looking at an early-down back in Irving who will be limited.”

“Who would have thought that the best back in the class by far was the sixth one selected on draft day? Taken with the 125th pick by the Buccaneers, Bucky Irving's hard-nosed running for a back his size won over fantasy managers.”

“Irving also has to deal with the arrival of Kenneth Gainwell, who signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay. Gainwell has garnered plenty of praise this offseason, with head coach Todd Bowles recently saying Gainwell is the 1b to Irving's 1a.”

“Lastly, if you’re here from Reddit/X/somewhere else, make sure you subscribe to get this newsletter via email every week! Subscribe now Without further ado, enjoy this week’s content👇 and enjoy the game 🏈 Analysis & Hype The only other 5-star-recruit WRs drafted in Round 1 since 2020, besides Emeka Egbuka :”

“Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB) Emeka Egbuka had a 23.5% target share last season, which led the Buccaneers”

“While fantasy players should be excited about Emeka Egbuka , don’t forget about McMillan”

“With Mike Evans gone, Egbuka is positioned for a much larger role in Zac Robinson’s offense. He is one of the more appealing second-year breakout WR candidates in fantasy football.”

“For WR2, the lines are Terry McLaurin and Emeka Egbuka.”

“Emeka Egbuka exploded onto the scene in the first half of the 2025 season. The rookie WR capitalized on the opportunity left by the injured Mike Evans and finished as the WR 20.”

“More importantly, he has been dominant on a very successful Ohio State offense while playing alongside two first-round picks, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate .”

“With Evans now in San Francisco, Egbuka becomes the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay.”

“Emeka Egbuka could crush his mid WR2 draft cost this season. Egbuka faded after Week 5 last year after he sustained a hamstring injury, and Baker Mayfield ‘s injury severely impacted his ability to feed catchable targets to the receiving options in Tampa Bay. In Weeks 1-5, Egbuka was the WR3 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 22.1% target share with 89 receiving yards per game, 2.71 yards per route run, a 26.1% first-read share, and 0.104 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data).”

“He started off extremely hot last season before fading down the stretch, but with Mike Evans gone, Egbuka is in line for huge volume and opportunity.”

“A Week 6 hamstring strain, coupled with Baker Mayfield's late-season struggles (including a reported rib injury), saw Egbuka's efficiency crater. However, Egbuka still led the Bucs' WR corps in total offensive snaps (886). Combine this with his 29.4% first-read target share, and it proves he is the offensive engine moving forward.”

“Through Week 5, Egbuka was a top-tier asset, averaging 2.49 Yards Per Route Run (YPRR) and leading all rookies in receiving EPA (11.2). He was the first player since 1970 to catch a game-winning TD in the final minute of his NFL debut.”