Sean Tucker – Syndication Server

2025 Bucs Offseason Preview: Running Back

The 2025 offseason could be boring for the Bucs running backs room, which is currently flush with talent.

Just one year ago, the Buccaneers had the worst rushing offense in the NFL. Now, they have one of the league’s best run games, thanks in large part to rookie sensation Bucky Irving.

Over the last decade, the Bucs have consistently been one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL. Since 2015, the Bucs have been bottom-10 in total rush yards and rushing yards per attempt in seven seasons. They were dead last in both marks the last two seasons for a variety of reasons. They also have not had a 1000-yard rusher since Doug Martin in 2015.

Everything changed in 2024. Improvements along the offensive line and the arrival of Liam Coen built the foundation for a better run game, but it was Bucky Irving who launched it into the stratosphere, running for 1122 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per rush attempt.

Though he was not drafted until the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Irving was easily the best running back in the class. He was the only 1000-yard rusher of the group and his 62 missed tackles forced was nearly double the next closest rookie rusher, Tyrone Tracy.

Irving was among the best among the greater NFL running back field. He was 10th in rush yards and tied for fourth in yards per attempt (minimum 80 attempts). Most notably, he led the league in yards after contact (4.03), a testament to his ability to navigate traffic and slip off defenders.

Irving was also a good receiver, catching 47 passes for 392 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, he has work to do as a pass blocker, as he allowed four pressures on 28 blocks, including three sacks.

That job may officially be Rachaad White’s moving forward. After taking 62% of the Bucs’ rush attempts in 2023, the emergence of Irving eventually relegated White to a backup role, rushing for 613 yards and three touchdowns. However, White was still a highly effective receiver and pass protector, catching 53 passes for 393 yards and six touchdowns while allowing just one sack in 79 blocks.

Irving and White formed a two-headed rushing attack that often manifested in 21 personnel, or “Pony package,” looks. According to Sumer Sports, the Bucs ran 68 plays in 21 personnel for 0.42 EPA. Though the Bucs offense will look different in 2025, the Pony looks should remain a staple for as long as Irving and White remain in red and pewter.

The Bucs also tapped into the latent talent of Sean Tucker, who they picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2023. While he saw limited action behind the highly effective 1-2 punch of Irving and White, he flashed game-breaking potential. Tucker earned Player of the Week honors in Week 6 when he ran for 136 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He finished the season with 308 rush yards, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.

With all three under contract next season, the Bucs are unlikely to expend many resources this offseason at the running back position. Irving took firm ownership of the lead-back position, while Rachaad White is one of the better third-down backs available. Tucker provides high quality depth and the occasional highlight reel.

If anything, the position could shrink. Veteran Chase Edmonds spent the entire season on injured reserve and is unlikely to be re-signed. Undrafted rookie D.J. Williams will fight for a roster spot in training camp but has little chance beyond the practice squad.

The Bucs have more pressing personnel needs to spend any draft capital at the position, and there is no need to spend free agent dollars for a veteran presence. The position is one of just a few on the squad that is all but set for 2025.

Bleacher Report names three Bucs players as potential cap casualties

Bleacher Report did some work on behalf of Bucs general manager Jason Licht and identified three players who could become cap casualties.

Every offseason, an unfortunate part of it includes players becoming salary cap casualties. The Bucs have only a projected $11 million in salary cap space, so they, more than most teams, will have some tough decisions to make.

Bleacher Report did some work on behalf of Bucs general manager Jason Licht and identified three players who could become cap casualties.

The first player they mention is a fan favorite, Jordan Whitehead, who just returned to the team in 2024. Whitehead would save the Bucs $4.5 by moving on from the veteran safety but it would create a larger need at the position. The defense also has another candidate to save the team some money in Jamel Dean.

Dean signed a four-year, $52 million contract in 2023 but starting in 2025 his contract becomes team friendly. Moving on from Dean would save the team $15.3 million which would more than double their available cap space at this moment.

Rounding things out they also mention Sean Tucker would save the team $1 million. While it doesn’t seem like a lot he does seem to be the odd man out of the backfield.

Liam Coen credits the Bucs RB room’s selflessness for success

On Thursday, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen discussed the selflessness this position group has this season.

The Bucs running back room is a three-headed monster that is finally hitting it’s stride late into the 2024 season. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker have all had games where they are “the guy” and having that skillset is vital to this team’s success.

On Thursday, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen discussed the selflessness this position group has this season.

“I think that’s a great point that you’re making, that maybe goes a little unnoticed. It’s not easy for anybody to share. My three-year-old has a hard time sharing. It’s hard, right? It comes from our being, as we’re kids. For that room to be as selfless as you mentioned and the next man up and just keep going, whoever has got the ball…We’re not going to just stop calling runs because somebody is not in there. It’s next-man-up [mentality] and they’ve done a nice job.”

Not only is this group sharing the workload but they are also sharing awards. In Week 6, we saw Sean Tucker win the NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award. In Week 13, it was Bucky Irving’s turn to win the award, so now they are eager to see when Rachaad White could win his.

Bucky Irving wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week

On Wednesday, the NFL awarded Bucs running back Bucky Irving the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs have been very productive this year. In the cases of Sean Tucker and Bucky Irving, they both now share a common award from the 2024 NFL season.

On Wednesday, the NFL awarded Bucs running back Bucky Irving the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Irving’s performance against the Carolina Panthers is what earned him the nod.

Irving ran for 152 yards on the ground and earned a total of 185 yards from scrimmage.

Before Irving won this honor, Sean Tucker was honored as Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 performance against the New Orleans Saints. Tucker racked up 192 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in that matchup.

This is the first time the Buccaneers have ever had two different running backs win a Player of the Week award in the same season.

Irving will have a chance to earn that award again starting in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bucs set franchise record for rushing TDs vs Giants

Buccaneers running back Rachaad White found his way into the end zone to get the Bucs a 30-0 lead and allowed the record to be set.

Coming off a bye week and on the heels of a four-game losing streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking to make a statement against the New York Giants and keep their playoff hopes alive.

With 3:45 remaining in the third quarter, Buccaneers running back Rachaad White found his way into the end zone to get the Bucs a 30-0 lead. White’s touchdown would mark the Buccaneers’ fourth rushing touchdown of the day.

With White’s 1-yard score, the Buccaneers would set a franchise record with four rushing touchdowns scored by a different player. Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker, and White all found paydirt against the Giants through the first three-quarters of the game. As of this writing, the Buccaneers have just 77 yards on the ground combined between the four players who have scored rushing touchdowns.

The Buccaneers are the only team to accomplish such a feat this season and the first since the New York Jets did so in 2022.

Where is Sean Tucker and where has his usage gone?

In recent weeks, Liam Coen and the offense abandoned the run game and have since lost three straight games.

Early on in the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a run-heavy team that controlled time of possession and helped out the passing game. In recent weeks, Liam Coen and the offense abandoned the run game and have since lost three straight games.

Although two of the three losses came to the teams in the Super Bowl last year, that is where the moral victories start and stop.

One major question in the abandoning of the run game is where Sean Tucker has gone. Tucker was the NFC Player of the Week after his performance against the Saints, where he ran for 136 rushing yards, had three receptions for 56 yards, and had two total touchdowns. It seems insane that a player could do that and have just ten carries since then.

In week 10 against the 49ers, Tucker had no snaps played at all, let alone touches. It will be interesting to see how things stand coming out of the Bye Week if he can work his way back into the fold.

Bucs running back group remains without a leader through Week 9

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not one but three running backs who are more than serviceable in their backfield.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not one but three running backs who are more than serviceable in their backfield. The issue the Bucs are now dealing with is deciding which one is worth giving the bulk of the workload to.

A few weeks ago, when Rachaad White was injured, Tucker emerged and was the NFC ground player of the week. Rookie Bucky Irving is making the most of every single touch he gets. Meanwhile, Rachaad White continues to find the endzone one way or another.

Against the Chiefs in Week 9, Irving had 10 touches for 34 yards, White had six touches for 35 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker had four touches for 17 yards.

That type of production, or lack thereof, has to be fixed. The rotation doesn’t allow any one running back to get momentum going. Liam Coen is creative; perhaps he uses White out at the slot receiver position to get him touches. Regardless, the running backs have to find some sort of consistency.

Right now, all they have is chaos and a lack of results.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving misses practice with toe injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found themselves a future starter at running back with the selection of Bucly Irving in April’s draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Bucky Irving in April’s draft, and they have found themselves a future starter at running back. They paired him up with Rachaad White and expected to have their own version of the thunder and lightning that so many teams in the NFL have success with.

However, it seems the Bucs may be without their emerging star at running back in Week 8.

In the team’s initial injury report of the week, Bucky Irving did not practice designation on the report. There were no specifics as to what the injury could be, but it is a less-than-ideal injury for a running back to have.

Rachaad White missed time earlier this year, and Sean Tucker proved to be a more than reliable option to step up in his place. If Irving misses time, look for Tucker to take his workload and work alongside Rachaad White out of the backfield.

Fantasy Football: 10 running backs to target on the waiver wire

Tyler Goodson and Ray Davis highlight this week’s list of running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire.

Several key injuries (and players returning from injuries) are shaking up the NFL — and fantasy football lineups — going into Week 8.

At quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa (27%) is expected to return after recovering from his concussion. In Cleveland, the Browns are expected to turn the offense over to Jameis Winston (1%) after losing Deshuan Watson to an Achilles injury. Drake Maye (14%) is also worth a look at QB.

At wide receiver, Jauan Jennings (46%) will be a popular target this week after the 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk to a torn ACL. Elsewhere at the position, Romeo Doubs (37%) has turned heads with consecutive big games.

At tight end, Hunter Henry (28%) and Taysom Hill (21%) will be among the top targets to consider on the waiver wire ahead of Week 8.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the running back position. We’ve put together a quick list of ten running backs to consider on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Wire Targets

1. RB Ray Davis (15%): Even with James Cook back in the lineup, Davis still got five carries and a target, turning those touches into 41 rushing yards and a touchdown and a one-yard reception. He won’t reach the end zone every week, but Davis offers flex value even when Cook is healthy.

2. RB Tyler Goodson (10%): It remains to be seen if Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will be able to return this week. In his absence on Sunday, it was Goodson, not Trey Sermon, who led the Colts’ backfield with 14 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

3. RB Alexander Mattison (43%): Mattison dominated the Raiders’ backfield on Sunday with 26 touches that he turned into 123 yards.

4. RB Jaylen Warren (46%): Najee Harris is still the guy in Pittsburgh, but Warren got 12 carries and three targets in Week 7. He’s worth flex consideration in a shared backfield.

5. RB Tyrone Tracy (48%): Even with Devin Singletary back in the lineup, Tracy remained a key part of New York’s offense. Game flow didn’t allow for much rushing from the Giants, but Tracy got one more carry (six to five) and two more targets (three to one) than Singletary on Sunday.

6. RB Sean Tucker (11%): Rachaad White is back and Bucky Irving remains the RB1b, but there’s still a role for Tucker in the backfield. He got five carries and two targets on Monday.

7. RB Kendre Miller (8%): The Saints weren’t able to get anything going against Denver’s defense on TNF, but Miller got six carries (compared to Alvin Kamara’s seven) and three targets (compared to Kamara’s seven). Kamara is obviously still the star in New Orleans, but Miller might have some standalone value going forward.

8. RB D’Ernest Johnson (15%): Tank Bigsby (69%) is dominating right now, but there’s still a role for Johnson. He got nine carries and four targets this week.

9. RB Trey Benson (18%): Benson is a claim-and-stash option in case James Conner is ever unavailable this season.

10. RB Blake Corum (18%): Similar to Benson, Corum is a valuable handcuff behind Kyren Williams.

Bonus RBs: Nick Chubb (83%), Tank Bigsby (69%), Jonathon Brooks (60%), Bucky Irving (66%) and Tyler Allgeier (54%) are already rostered in most leagues, but double check just to make sure they’re not still available in your league.

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

5 takeaways from the Bucs brutal loss to the Ravens in Week 7

Here are five key takeaways from the Bucs’ 31-41 loss to the Ravens in Week 7.

A quick 10-0 start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Baltimore Ravens sent Raymond James Stadium into a frenzy.

However, 34 unanswered points from Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had fans leaving the stadium at the end of the third quarter. While the Buccaneers may have lost the game, they would go on to lose much more as the game went on.

Here are five key takeaways from the Bucs’ 31-41 loss to the Ravens in Week 7.

Consistently inconsistent

Wins are hard to come by in the NFL and are even more challenging to earn when you do not play consistently, which is precisely what this Buccaneers team lacks. On both sides of the ball, through all seven games, it’s hard to determine which Buccaneers team will show up and how many quarters will last.

Wide receiver depth is a glaring hole

When you have the luxury of superstar wide receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, there should never be a discussion about issues at WR for the Buccaneers. A worst-case scenario for the Bucs happened as the team lost both Evans and Godwin on the same night. While Evans reaggravated a hamstring injury, he should miss minimal time, whereas Godwin will likely be done for the remainder of the season.

You cannot replace receivers the caliber of an Evans or a Godwin, but who on the roster will step up and assert themselves as leaders inside the wide receivers room? Baker Mayfield and Sterling Shepard showed a rekindling of their former college teammate relationship in Week 4; however, that has been routinely non-existent since then, leaving a real issue at wide receiver for the Bucs.

Defense is still an issue

This season, the Buccaneers have needed to play nearly perfect offense more often than not, as their defense has been unable to slow down their opponents. For added context, the Bucs defense even allowed the Detroit Lions to control the clock and generate more offensive yards in a winning effort in Week 2.

Sure, they’ve battled injuries, but it’s a recipe for disaster when you force your offense to play mistake-free, and this was on full display for the Buccaneers against the Ravens. Through seven games, the 4-3 Buccaneers defense has allowed opposing offenses to outgain them four times.

Good problem in the running back room

The good news for the Buccaneers is that Rachaad White showed flashes of why he was the clear-cut starting running back coming into the season. This gives the Bucs an embarrassment of riches in the backfield between White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week. As the Bucs will need to do some serious soul-searching, particularly on offense, with the loss of their top two leading receivers, OC Liam Coen may start leaning on the emerging three-headed monster in the backfield.

It all boils down to coaching

The Buccaneers showed they would not give up when they recovered the onside kick with 3:46 remaining in the game. On a drive that would result in a touchdown and bring the Bucs within 10 points as they trailed 31-41, there were no attempts to get out of bounds or throw toward the sideline to stop the clock— they still had all three timeouts, plus a potential of being ahead of the two-minute warning. The following Ravens series was an attempt to run out the clock, with the Bucs defense forcing a punt.

Todd Bowles kept his starters in the game, which was already out of reach with 1:34 remaining and no timeouts remaining. The result was a gruesome injury to Godwin, and the early expectation is that he will not return for the season as his lower left leg was immediately put in an air cast.

When teams are inconsistent, it comes back to coaching. Ironically, this has been a consistent theme among Bucs fans, with their general distaste for Bowles as the team’s head coach. As the Bucs await to hear the prognosis on Evans’s hamstring injury, it will be a tumultuous finish to the second quarter of the season for a Bucs team who have a gauntlet of the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers.