Who Should I Start? Dare Ogunbowale or Bucky Irving

Sunday, November 24, 1:25 AM

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale hasn't done much to benefit fantasy managers during the 2024-25 campaign. With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce both missing time this season due to injury, Ogunbowale had a chance to get involved, even if it was only for a game or two. Yet, that didn't happen, with the 30-year-old amassing only 25 carries for 68 yards this season. To be fair, he did have a receiving touchdown in the Week 4 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Still, outside of that, Ogunbowale has been non-existent from a fantasy standpoint. Keep him out of the starting line in Week 12 versus the Titans.

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.