Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or TreVeyon Henderson

Monday, January 13, 12:53 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries during Sunday's playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. He also caught two passes for an additional six yards through the air. In the loss, Irving averaged his lowest yards per carry since Week 9 (excluding his injury-shortened Week 14), which is not an indictment on his performance but rather a testament to just how well he's been running the football lately. He carved out the lead-back role once again on Sunday, registering 17 carries to Rachaad White's one. White has essentially been delegated to pass-catching situations, and even then, he continues to lose opportunities to Irving. It has been fascinating to watch this backfield dynamic develop throughout the season, with White slipping way down from the RB1 tier in fantasy football while Irving becomes one of the top running backs in dynasty fantasy football (and a mid-range RB1 in redraft leagues, too). Barring an unexpected change or addition within the Buccaneers' backfield, Irving should remain their primary ball carrier entering 2025.

Monday, April 28, 11:28 PM

The New England Patriots view rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson as "a three-down back and a really good complement," according to general manager Eliot Wolf. "He's a threat with the ball in his hands, speed to take at the distance anytime he touches it." The Patriots selected the former Ohio State product with the 38th overall pick in the second round of last week's NFL draft as the fourth RB off the board. The 22-year-old will most likely split backfield touches with Rhamondre Stevenson to begin his first year in the NFL, similar to what he did with the Buckeyes last year with Quinshon Judkins. The 5-foot-10, 202-pound 22-year-old has the ability to do damage with long plays anytime the ball is in his hands, giving New England another dynamic playmaker behind young quarterback Drake Maye. At the very least, Henderson will be a handcuff option for fantasy managers that take the chance on Stevenson.