Who Should I Start? Brian Robinson Jr. or Bucky Irving

Monday, December 15, 10:20 PM

Across 14 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries. The 26-year-old has spent the entirety of the 2025 season in a backup role behind star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to record double-digit carries in a game in 2025 and has just seven receptions on the season, so his standalone fantasy value is limited. However, if McCaffrey were to suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would immediately become a viable starting fantasy running back. He's proven he can succeed in a lead-back role in the past, racking up 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries across 14 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. is worth rostering just in case McCaffrey goes down.

Wednesday, December 17, 10:13 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving took on the majority of the workload in Week 15, totaling just 71 scrimmage yards on 17 attempts. Since returning from shoulder and foot injuries in Week 13, Irving has totaled 233 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts, averaging 13.4 PPR points per game. While he started the season as the primary workhorse in this Buccaneers' offense, Irving has been limited to just 54% of the snaps, while backups Rachaad White (43% and Sean Tucker (14%) have been factors. Irving faces the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. In his only two games against the Panthers in his career, he has had over 185 scrimmage yards in both outings. In a must-win game for the Buccaneers and with his favorable history against Carolina, look for Irving to unleash in Week 16.