Who Should I Start? Hunter Henry or Bucky Irving

Thursday, May 29, 1:21 PM

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) is in attendance and taking part in voluntary organized team activities this week, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Henry was not limited in any capacity during Wednesday's session despite missing the Week 18 regular-season finale last year due to a foot injury. The 30-year-old former second-round pick (35th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016 out of Arkansas set career-highs in catches (66), targets (97) and receiving yards (674) while scoring just twice in 16 starts for the Patriots in his fourth year with the team in 2024. Austin Hooper, who caught 45 passes a year ago, remains in town, but Henry is the team's unquestioned top pass-catching tight end, and he has strong chemistry with second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Henry should find the end more in 2025, but the addition of receiver Stefon Diggs will take away valuable targets.

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.