Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or Emeka Egbuka

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.

Wednesday, December 24, 2:54 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka caught only one pass in a Week 16 loss to the Panthers, but offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told the media on Wednesday that he would like to get his rookie wideout more involved, specifically noting the importance of getting him the ball early. After a red-hot start to the season that had him looking like a locked-in Rookie of the Year candidate, Egbuka has failed to top 65 receiving yards in six straight games, and he's caught only one touchdown since Week 5. With the recent returns to health of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, he has also seen two of his lowest snap shares of the season over the past two weeks. Grizzard's words should offer encouragement to fantasy managers forced into starting Egbuka in their Week 17 title matches, but he's still a perilous play given his recent usage.