Who Should I Start? Evan Engram or Bucky Irving

Monday, July 28, 3:52 PM

Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram is forming a nice combination with quarterback Bo Nix early in training camp. Engram, who joined the Broncos as a free agent in the offseason, was Nix's go-to target during the team's first padded practice on Monday. Previously with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Engram is only two years removed from piling up 114 receptions, 143 targets, 963 yards, and four touchdowns in 2023. The 30-year-old was unable to replicate that production last season, though, as he missed eight games with multiple injuries and caught 47 balls (64 targets) for 365 yards and one score. Healthy again and playing for a much better team, Engram looks to have intriguing rebound potential in 2025 with the ascending Nix as his quarterback.

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.