Who Should I Start? Kyren Williams or Bucky Irving

Sunday, May 4, 1:58 PM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams doesn't think he has reached his ceiling despite back-to-back 1,100-yard rushing seasons. Williams has also added an impressive 26 total touchdowns the last two years. "I don't feel like I've touched my peak yet. I've gotten to where I wanted to be, but I'm determined to make this my best season," Williams said. The 24-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2022 remains hungry for more production as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 with the Rams. L.A. could involve backup Blake Corum behind Williams more in his second year in the league, but Williams remains the team's unquestioned RB1 as long as he's healthy, and he should be considered a solid midrange RB1 option in fantasy drafts this fall. In 16 regular-season games in 2024, Williams was the RB6 in half-PPR scoring with 1,299 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs on 316 carries.

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.