Who Should I Start? Breece Hall or Bucky Irving

Saturday, June 14, 1:05 PM

New York Jets running back Breece Hall sounds pretty motivated to prove himself as one of the top backs in the NFL going into the 2025 season. "We have a great running back room," Hall said, "but my mentality is every day I'm going to prove that I am the best back on this roster and one of the best backs in the league." The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Iowa State fell short of 1,000 yards rushing in his third year in the NFL with 876 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 209 carries while adding 57 catches for 483 yards and another three TDs in 16 starts in another disappointing year for the Jets. Hall said his knee also wasn't 100% last year. The Jets have both Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis pushing for bigger roles, but if Hall can stay healthy and the offense can improve under new QB Justin Fields, it's definitely possible for Hall to have a career year. He's on the RB1/2 borderline in fantasy.

Thursday, June 26, 6:10 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, who is expected to see more opportunities in 2025, has improved his footwork and pass protection, according to head coach Todd Bowles. "He got to where he needed to be, but his footwork wasn't always the cleanest last season," Bowles says. "He's cleaned that up." Despite only "starting" three games in 2024, Irving finished as the RB13 in point-per-reception scoring in fantasy in his rookie season by racking up 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 rushing attempts. He added 47 receptions on 52 targets for 392 yards through the air. The 22-year-old makes up for his lack of size and athleticism with excellent vision and a knack for breaking tackles in open space. The primary concern with Irving as it pertains to being a true RB1 is the question of whether he can be a true workhorse back and withstand all the physical punishment between the tackles.