Who Should I Start? Kenneth Walker III or Bucky Irving

Thursday, February 12, 4:17 PM

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Seattle Seahawks could use the franchise or transition tag on impending free-agent running back Kenneth Walker III this offseason, even though the franchise tag would pay Walker around $14 million in 2026. The 25-year-old went Beast Mode in Seattle's three postseason games this year, carrying the ball 65 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine catches for an additional 104 yards. The former second-rounder had 27 carries for 135 yards in the Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots and was named MVP. Walker made himself a lot of money for the 2026 season with his playoff exploits. It sounds like the Seahawks want to keep him around. He has been solid in his four years with Seattle, but lower-body injuries have been an issue. With Zach Charbonnet (knee) returning in 2026, there will be bust potential for Walker coming off the high of his postseason performance.

Tuesday, February 10, 2:23 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2025 while missing seven games because of shoulder and foot injuries. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had good things to say about Irving, though, and the 23-year-old could be a popular bounce-back candidate this fall with Rachaad White likely to leave in free agency. "I see Bucky in a very similar light [to Bijan Robinson] there with what he can do in the passing game, and there's not a run concept that he can't run," Robinson said. "So I'm excited to work with Bucky and know that there is a ton of meat on the bone in the passing game." Irving, a fourth-rounder in 2024 out of Oregon, rushed for 588 yards and only one touchdown on 173 carries in 10 games in 2025, but he proved to be worthy of lead-back duties after carrying the ball 207 times for 1,122 yards and eight rushing TDs in 17 games as a rookie. Don't sleep on Irving going into next season.