Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Bucky Irving

Friday, September 5, 1:00 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carried the ball 18 times for 60 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He also caught four of his five targets for an additional 24 receiving yards. The superstar running back wasn't as efficient as expected, especially against a defense that just lost run-stopper Micah Parsons. However, Barkley's volume remained appealing as he amassed 23 touches with a healthy blend of carries and catches. Plus, he added a touchdown, showcasing an ability to score that we've become quite familiar with. The veteran remains a mid-range RB1 option heading into a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Saturday, September 6, 12:03 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving heads into 2025 with a chip on his shoulder and breakout potential. The former fourth-round pick says he still draws motivation from his draft-day slide: "I kept that anger and used it as motivation. I was pissed. I was waiting for three days, so just being there and seeing everybody get drafted, it lit a fire in me." That fire fueled an electric finish to his rookie year. From Week 13 on (excluding the Raiders game he exited early), Irving averaged 20 attempts for 123.3 scrimmage yards and scored five touchdowns in eight games, scoring 17.6 half-PPR fantasy points during that span. Now entering his second season, Irving is being hyped as a prime breakout candidate in 2025. With clear RB1 usage and the Buccaneers' offense leaning on his explosiveness, he'll look to pick up right where he left off when Tampa Bay opens against the Atlanta Falcons.