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Rachaad White is the undisputed starting running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into the 2024 NFL season. Last season, the former Arizona State standout had 1,539 yards from scrimmage (990 rushing) and nine total touchdowns (six rushing).
Those numbers ranked him the ninth-best running back in standard formats and 14th in PPR and half-PPR formats in RotoBaller's Fantasy Football Rankings before the 2024 season. His ADP of 40.1 makes him an excellent choice in the fantasy draft's middle rounds, positioning him as a high-value RB2.
But while White will be getting the most touches during the Buccaneers' offensive snaps, Tampa Bay's second-in-command at running back is still up for debate. Therefore, who among Bucky Irving, Chase Edmonds, and Sean Tucker will earn the spot behind White on the depth chart?
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Chase Edmonds Fantasy Football Outlook
Edmonds will enter his second season with the Buccaneers and eighth overall in the NFL. While he is a veteran in Tampa Bay's receiving room, he constantly fought for playing time with White and Ke'Shawn Vaughn last season.
White made 72.5% of Tampa Bay's carries in 2023. That statistic left little room for Edmonds to shine, and he got his opportunity after the Buccaneers waived Vaughn. Edmonds finished the season with 49 carries, 14 receptions, and 257 yards from scrimmage.
Chase Edmonds flashes great feel in his limited reps, but look at this block from Chris Godwin. pic.twitter.com/G1vKick3p6
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) January 9, 2024
The former Fordham standout is ranked 89th among running backs fantasy-wise heading into the 2024 season.
Sean Tucker Fantasy Football Outlook
Before Tucker went undrafted last year, he was a 2021 Unanimous All-American after tallying 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Syracuse Orange. A year later, he had lower but still-solid numbers (1,060 yards, 11 touchdowns).
Despite those numbers, he had limited opportunities during his rookie season. He had 15 carries for 23 yards and two catches for nine yards in the first three weeks of the regular season. Since then, Tucker has appeared in eight more games but has not registered for a reception or a carry.
Why Bucky Irving is Tampa Bay's RB2
Irving's game mimics White's, especially during his final season at Oregon. The Buccaneers' 2024 fourth-round selection had 1,180 rushing yards, 413 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns (11 rushing). He averaged 6.3 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per catch.
In his first year with the Ducks, Irving had 1,357 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. Likewise, Pro Football Focus had him their sixth-best rusher among college football running backs in 2024, thanks to his 4.36 yards after contact average.
While unseating White as the Buccaneers' RB1 is a remote possibility, Irving will likely be Tampa Bay's lead backup after training camp. Edmonds and Tucker have been unreliable despite their varying career stages.
#Bucs RB Bucky Irving says that “there is always room for improvement and room to learn.”
In the process of doing so, he has relied on RBs Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, who have been great leaders for him. pic.twitter.com/QiY62XO3K0
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) June 13, 2024
With Irving as the lead backup, the attention shifts to how much playing time the Buccaneers will give him. Will they have White take the lion's share of the snaps? Or will Irving eat into White's reps?
Regardless of the outcome, fantasy football experts highly regard Irving, even if he hasn't played an NFL snap. RotoBaller's Fantasy Football Rankings have him 60th among running backs in PPR, higher than Alexander Mattison, Dameon Pierce, AJ Dillon, and D'Onta Foreman.
While there are questions about Irving's size, the Buccaneers can only find out if he can excel in the pros by giving him enough opportunities to prove his talent.
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