Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or Jalen Coker

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.

Thursday, December 18, 12:56 AM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has scored in back-to-back games and is starting to emerge as a reliable option in the passing game. Coker led the Panthers in receiving in their Week 15 loss to the Saints, catching all four of his targets for 60 yards. He notched a season high of 74 receiving yards on four catches (six targets) before the Week 14 bye. The second-year wideout could be in line for an increased role in the Week 16's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if rookie Tetairoa McMillan (ankle, foot) is unable to play. McMillan missed Wednesday's practice, but more information about his status will be available on Thursday and Friday. Coker's usage has been modest in recent weeks, with four targets in four of the past five games, but he's been a playmaker as the team's WR2, posting the fourth-highest explosive-catch rate (22.2%) among wide receivers with at least 15 targets over those five weeks. The Holy Cross product will look to continue his strong production into Week 16 against a Buccaneers defense that just allowed 74 yards on six catches to David Sills V last week.