Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or Isaac Guerendo

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.

Friday, June 6, 12:54 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (ankle, knee) has been taking part in voluntary organized team activities this spring after injuring his MCL and spraining his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year. Guerendo, a fourth-round pick (129th overall) in 2024, should be a full-go for the start of mandatory minicamp on June 10. All-Pro Christian McCaffrey (knee) is also back and ready to roll after missing the majority of the 2024 campaign, so Guerendo will enter the 2025 season as the backup, but Jordan Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings and Elijah Mitchell left in free agency. The 24-year-old Guerendo had 5.0 yards per carry on his 84 rushing attempts last year for 420 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (three starts), adding 15 catches for 152 yards through the air. Consider him a high-upside handcuff behind the injury-prone CMC.