How High Is Bucky Irving On The Depth Chart?
July 16th, 2024
No. 2 RB already?
Although Chase Edmonds might disagree, Joe doesn’t think there is a whole lot of doubt.
Rookie running back Bucky Irving was brought to Tampa Bay to have an impact.
The Bucs highlighted his versatility (running and catching) and Irving’s knack for breaking tackles — something the incumbent at starting running back has shown little to no ability when he takes a handoff.
Joe thinks Irving might already have the No. 2 running back job locked up.
Rachaad White is a seriously dangerous weapon in the pass game and Joe would be very hard-pressed to take him out of his role as starting running back.
From what Joe saw this spring in underwear football (granted, not a legit harbinger of the future), White still has the moves in the open field to hurt defenses badly with yards after the catch.
Just the threat the Bucs could throw White the ball is an asset. As much as Joe is a fan of drafting Irving, Joe has a hard time thinking he may overtake White as a starter. White would really have to regress in the passing game for that to happen.
Still, the Bucs’ run game has sucked the past two seasons and White has been the primary running back for most of that period. You do the math. It has to improve and that’s why Irving is in Tampa.
July 16th, 2024 at 7:27 am
I still find it curious that the Bucs went with Bucky over Ray Davis in the draft. I’m not saying it was the wrong move..it’s very odd since Coen had first hand knowledge of everything Davis related. Locker room non fit maybe?
July 16th, 2024 at 8:00 am
Lt. Dan, If you do film study on Bucky, you’ll see why the Bucs chose him over Ray Davis. Bucky is very shift, falls forward when breaking tackles and a wicked stiff arm for a smallish back.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:07 am
“I still find it curious that the Bucs went with Bucky over Ray Davis in the draft.”
Why? Ray Davis is nothing special, and certainly not better than Bucky or Chaad.
Ramon Jefferson played at UK under Coen, and played with Zyon McCoullum as a grad transfer back in 2020/21.
RB1/2/3 doesn’t matter, it’s for the digital football geeks who care less about actual gameplay and more about beating Sheila & Rob from HR in their fantasy league lol
July 16th, 2024 at 8:14 am
I think getting rid of our Oline coaches will do wonders for our run game. Those two coaches have been with us from day one, and our rushing attack hasn’t been very good under their command. Better coaches, better schememight just be the difference.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:15 am
Irving will fill in for White the same way White filled in for Fournette. Whenever Whites contract is up, Irving will take over IF he proves capable. White is a great 3rd down back but Licht isn’t committing a whole lot to the RB position. He would rather save those funds for the o-line or solid depth.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:44 am
Because Irving’s skill set is similar to whites, the game plan doesn’t change with him in and there should be no signal to defenses tipping our hat for the play. I think that’s the biggest benefit.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:47 am
Last year was only Whites second year and the middle of that Oline was horrible at times. Hope it’s at least serviceable this year and he might get 1000 rushing and 600 receiving.
July 16th, 2024 at 8:58 am
Hard to really evaluate RB’s or any position battles till training camp.
We’re close!
July 16th, 2024 at 9:28 am
I didn’t know that Ray Davis was a Temple Owl before transferring to Ky. So both Bowles and Cohn were very familiar with his RB abilities. I like the bowling ball great contact balance Rbs. Apparently he needs some work on his pass pro and doesn’t have elite burst. Almost all rookie RBs need to improve their pass pro. Scouts don’t see a high ceiling with (Davis) him but he could be a good Rb. He was a foster child but I didn’t see anything bad about his character. Bucky is definitely looks more explosive on tape. If you compare their 10 yard splits and 40 times they’re about the same. Bucky has a slight faster 10 YS but Davis has a slightly faster 40. Buffalo is a great place to land and see immediate success but it will be interesting to see who has a better NFL career.
July 16th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Bucky Irving will no doubt get his share of touches this year, but for some reason there’s an undrafted rookie RB on our team who just intrigues me. Name’s DJ Williams (6′ & 225 lbs) and he played for Arizona. Watched some of his highlights & he reminds me somewhat of Mike Alstott.
One of the things I loved about watching A-Train was that if there wasn’t a hole there, he made one. He didn’t waste a whole bunch of time dancing or running back & forth behind the line. Much better known for lowering his shoulder and blasting through whoever was in front of him. I miss that type of smash-mouth football.
Watching Williams’ highlights, he’s not flashy but he’s decisive at the line & he seems to have good acceleration. Seems to really enjoy running over people. Gotta love it. Would love to see him make the team (every team needs a good battering ram).
July 16th, 2024 at 10:23 am
Defense Rules thank you for that observation, I don’t necessarily see the A- train in DJ Williams but bringing to light what this current Bucs offense desperately is in need of I totally agree and I too saw that physical running style when looking at his college career highlights! Here’s to hoping he has what it takes to translate to the NFL🚩☠️💯
July 16th, 2024 at 10:47 am
It’s interesting, i did not hear anything Bowles said or any of the coaches said this offseason that Bucky Irving was outstanding or was moving up a so-called depth chart.
Let’s see through training camp and preseason games and the 1st game of the season whether he really is number 2.
My guess (it is a guess) is that he will be number 3 running back in the 1st game of the season.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:02 am
Defense Rules Says:
July 16th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Bucky Irving will no doubt get his share of touches this year, but for some reason there’s an undrafted rookie RB on our team who just intrigues me. Name’s DJ Williams (6′ & 225 lbs)
I have seen D.J. Williams as 5’9″, 5’10” and 6’0″. Dane Brugler listed him at 5’9″. A couple of places including FSU had him listed at 5′ 10″. Most current sites have him listed at 6 feet. Maybe he grew later in his college career.
It will be interesting to see.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Don’t we have another running back from Kentucky plus the hope that our guy from Syracuse will come around ?? They are both a little bigger and we have them why? So Ray Davis was not taken by the Bucs. I personally would have liked the guy from Notre Dame big and got the hard to get yardage plus. I loved Warwick and Mike. If the line performs well we’ll be alright.. if not Baker will have use that arm and that does suck. Why does it say in JL we trust when all we do is place doubt on him. I think some of the questions become a little much and we could be in pergatory if not on the way out of Tampa.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:17 am
“have seen D.J. Williams as 5’9″, 5’10” and 6’0″. Dane Brugler listed him at 5’9″. A couple of places including FSU had him listed at 5′ 10″.”
5’10ish bare foot, 5’11.67 in cleats lol
July 16th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Lord Cornelius Says:
Hard to really evaluate RB’s or any position battles till training camp.
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^^^^^^THIS!
He looked amazing on some of his runs in college and I believe his ceiling is VERY high. But he’s got to learn the offense and learn to pass protect otherwise he may not see much of the field other than possibly as a returner on special teams.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:35 am
Edmonds despite his size is a hard nosed runner and that is how he was used in Denver when J. Williams was out for the season due to injury. With the Bucs Edmonds showed he navigates holes better and more decisively up the gut than White. But Edmonds can’t stay healthy so this is where Irving comes in.
Irving is known to make people miss but he is also a tough runner like Edmonds despite his size. This is why it is tempting to compare Irving to Dunn.
July 16th, 2024 at 11:35 am
I think Bucky Irving is a perfect fit for the new kickoff rules. He was picked over Davis because Licht, Bowles & Cohen collectively believed he was better.
July 16th, 2024 at 12:47 pm
hes 190lbs. hes not breaking tackles in the NFL so you can throw that supposed triat he had – while playing in orgeons highflying spread offense behind college footballs best center – out the window.
July 16th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Pepsi, breaking tackles is partly a state of mind and attitude to me. Making tackles is mostly a will and additude thing to me. In the end the dice will decide. The Bucky Irving love/vibe I’m getting from my JBF friends has me quite intrigued. Now hush up and hand your buddy an ice cold Bromosa, will ya.
July 16th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
^^^
Pep also isn’t accounting for the fact tackling in the NFL is atrocious to begin with guys aren’t breaking down and using their bodies, just throwing shoulders and elbow in the open field.
July 16th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Fred – i loved move of this draft class, especially our first pick. Bucky to me was the most over hyped RB in the class so yea im sour on it. I find the hype laughable and just pointing some simple reasons why. Theres virtually no precedent for a 190lb RB who has no elite athletic measured traits turn out to be a solid RB. Even looking at someone like Danny Woodhead youll still find 10more lbs and elite breakaway speed.
Dude – NFL tackling is bad because these players go from tackling guys like Irving (190lbs, 4.55+ forty) to all of sudden facing 215lb guys running sub 4.45 every single week. its not a coincidence that some of the worst tackling attempts youll ever see are against guys like Derrick Henry or Brandon Jacobs years ago. There will be a lot of clean wrap up tackles on Irving..
all tht being said, I do think he can be a receiving threat.. its just not what we needed IMO. Rachaad is already a elite receiver, Edmonds can recieve. we needed another flat out good all around RB but we forewent drafting one yet again.
July 16th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Defense Rules Says:
July 16th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Bucky Irving will no doubt get his share of touches this year, but for some reason there’s an undrafted rookie RB on our team who just intrigues me. Name’s DJ Williams (6′ & 225 lbs) and he played for Arizona. Watched some of his highlights & he reminds me somewhat of Mike Alstott”
Mike Alstott was 249 when he was drafted. He would have to put on a lot of weight, and that might affect his durability.
July 16th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Bucky Irving is 3 years younger and more explosive.
July 16th, 2024 at 7:35 pm
So far BI7 hasn’t played one NFL game snap. He will probably be listed as the 3rd RB until he proves himself otherwise! IMHO.
I hope he does some incredible things. He best take advantage of the snaps he receives! If the revamped O-line comes to play, all our RBs will excel. Bring on September!
July 16th, 2024 at 8:28 pm
Still awaiting some kind of words on Sean Tucker. He is listed on the roster. Training camp should reveal.
Go Bucs!
July 16th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
I find that I’m up & down on Bucky Irving. He’s not rocket fast in the open field, it’s said that he’s more quick than fast and in the right offense, that can overcome speed. However, he doesn’t have much mass, and that’s a negative in the NFL lack of mass = not a good pass blocking option. Supposedly good in the pass game, but we already have one of those – so to be honest – I too was looking for a bowling ball/power back. But even with what Liam knew about Ray Davis, he passed. So, Liam has different plans.
I’ve warmed to Bucky, but we’ll see.
July 16th, 2024 at 10:13 pm
Im with some of you guys hoping for a bigger back. I think Audric Estime was there. I’d hate for Sean Payton to have another steal over the Bucs.
July 17th, 2024 at 7:19 am
I watched a lot of film on both Bucky and Davis and I was far more impressed by Davis who reminded alot of Emmitt Smith in his running style. I think I would like to place a bet on who has the better career. My favorite RB was from Tennessee.