Who Should I Start? Kenneth Walker III or Bucky Irving

Thursday, January 15, 10:41 AM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III finished his fourth NFL season with 221 carries for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, adding 31 receptions for 282 yards as a pass-catcher. Walker posted a career-high in scrimmage yards (1309) but scored only five touchdowns, while backup Zach Charbonnet scored 12 rushing touchdowns this season. Since Week 4, Walker has scored two touchdowns, which ranks 48th in the NFL during that span. He faces a San Francisco 49ers defense that has given up the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs and the second-most receptions to the position this season. While Walker was productive in the Week 18 contest against the 49ers, totaling 133 scrimmage yards on 20 touches, if he can't find the end zone, his ceiling will be limited.

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.