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

Thursday, September 5, 6:37 PM

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. should be started in all leagues as an RB2 in Week 1 as he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson is expected to be the slight leader in a committee with veteran Austin Ekeler. During the preseason, the Alabama product consistently saw the first carries of the game but was often replaced by Ekeler during third-down situations. Last season, the 25-year-old ran for 733 yards, punched in five scores, and tallied 368 yards and four scores through the air. Fantasy managers should expect Robinson to be a solid RB2 on Sunday with the upside to get goal-line work. However, expectations should be tempered slightly as the Buccaneers allowed the fifth-lowest 95.3 rushing yards per game last season.

Thursday, September 5, 7:43 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving looks to be set as the primary backup option to Rachaad White in the backfield. He won the competition against Sean Tucker in camp for the No. 2 role in this offense. Sadly for Irving, that No. 2 role probably isn't going to be too significant. The Bucs are likely going to lean on White as their lead back. Irving should help out on special teams and possibly see a handful of snaps as the change-of-pace back. However, there is unlikely to be enough carries for Irving to have viable value during the season opener. He's worth stashing in dynasty formats and deep leagues because if White goes down then Irving will be the next man up. Irving could carve out a bigger role for himself as the season goes on, but he remains a shaky option for the season opener against the Washington Commanders.