Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Oregon running back Bucky Irving.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
On March 8, 2024, the Green Bay Packers had Aaron Jones and nothing at the running back position. Fast forward a week and Jones is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings, while the Packers signed Josh Jacobs in free agency and re-signed AJ Dillon.
With Jacobs and Dillon in place, the Packers have a formidable one-two punch. There is still likely one more piece that will be added to that room and that piece will likely arrive via the 2024 NFL Draft.
A player that the Packers could target that would pair nicely with the two veteran running backs is Bucky Irving. The Oregon running back checks in at No. 54 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Irving, a Minnesota transfer, rushed for 1,058 yards and five touchdowns during his first season as a member of the Oregon Ducks in 2022. This past season, Irving rushed for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“I think it’s fair to say that Bucky Irving was the heart of the offense this year,” Zachary Neel, the managing editor of Duckswire.com, said. “While Bo Nix was the brain, making sure that everything operated smoothly and everyone was in the right position, Irving was as big of a driving factor as there was in the offense, acting as a dynamic runner behind an elite offensive line. In his first year with the Ducks, Bucky split carries with Noah Whittington, but due to an injury to Noah early in the year, Irving was able to take over as the clear-cut RB1 in 2023. Make no mistake, Oregon had a successful run game this year because they had an elite offensive line, but Irving deserves a lot of the credit as well, he is an incredible rusher.”
Irving runs like the ground stole his milk money. He runs angry and is tough as nails. Irving has outstanding contact balance and shreds arm tackles with ease. He rarely goes down on initial contact and it usually takes a band of defenders to take him down.
“You rarely see someone that size possess that much physicality. Irving is only 5-foot-10, just south of 200 pounds, but he packs a punch and does not shy away from contact,” Neel said. “More than that, though, Irving has the best contact balance of any running back I’ve seen before. His ability to take a hit, find a way to keep his balance, and scamper upfield for more yards is incredible. I think a low center of gravity helps there, but it’s just something that you don’t see often. It’s a truly special skill set.”
Vision, explosive in short areas and a tackle-breaking machine, Irving gives defenders fits trying to get him to the ground. He leaves them grasping at air. He makes sharp, lateral cuts without slowing down.
According to Pro Football Focus, Irving picked up 743 yards after contact and forced 69 missed tackles. Due to his hard-charging running style and his burst, he’s a threat to rip off an explosive play. This past season he had 34 runs of 10-plus yards.
“Irving ran above his weight class and looked like a bruiser out there,” Neel said. “In my mind, he runs like an Isaiah Pacheco at times, just furiously gaining yards, but he also can be shifty and make guys miss. There were plenty of times in Eugene where Irving would enter a pile at the line of scrimmage, and then somehow find a way through to the other side and get out into open space.”
During his two seasons in Eugene, Irving hauled in 87 receptions for 712 yards and five touchdowns. He has reliable hands and is dangerous after the catch. There is no questioning his ability as a pass catcher. The question will be can he hold up in pass protection?
“That’s something that we saw more this past season from Irving than we did in his first year with the Ducks — an ability to be a receiver out of the backfield,” Neel said. “While he wasn’t going to dazzle you with an expanded route tree from the running back spot, Irving was very good on swing and arrow routes to the edge, and always a solid option as a checkdown.”
Fit with the Packers
With Jacobs and Dillon in place, the Packers don’t have a pressing need at running back. However, Dillon is back on just a one-year deal and this is the same general manager that drafted Dillon in the second round when they had Jones and Jamaal Williams under contract. The Packers may take a running back sooner than people may expect.
If the Packers opt to wait until Day 3 of the draft to take a running back, Irving could be a potential target. A lot will be made of his athletic testing and that’s part of the puzzle. That doesn’t take into account his vision, short-area burst, lateral agility and his outstanding contact balance.
“It’s not hard to watch the tape from his time at Oregon and see what Bucky can do for you on the field,” Neel said. “One of the things that stood out the most to me was how his teammates and coaches talked about him. Dan Lanning said on multiple occasions that Irving was the heart and soul of this team, and that no single player cared more about the team than he did. We heard similar things from his teammates. Irving displayed that by opting into the Fiesta Bowl game against Liberty when nobody would have blamed him for opting out and preparing for the NFL Draft. He cares about his team though and wants to play football. I think he’s going to have a very successful career at the next level.”
The Packers own 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. There is little doubt that one of those picks will be spent on a running back.
With his skillset, Irving could be the ideal third back to round out Green Bay’s depth chart to give Matt LaFleur a three-headed monster at running back.
