Who Should I Start? Kyren Williams or Bucky Irving

Tuesday, April 1, 1:19 PM

The Los Angeles Rams will meet with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents star running back Kyren Williams, at the annual league meetings this week to discuss a possible long-term contract extension, according to general manager Les Snead. After recording back-to-back 1,100-plus rushing yards and entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, Snead has said the team would like to "engineer a long-term partnership" with the 24-year-old Williams. However, both sides aren't exactly on the same page right now, and it could take time. Snead left open the possibility that Williams plays out the final year of his rookie deal without a new contract. He has become a surefire RB1 in fantasy, and his 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024 tied for fourth-most among RBs. The former fifth-rounder has become L.A.'s clear lead back and the centerpiece of their evolved running attack.

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.