Who Should I Start? Sean Tucker or Jordan James

Saturday, February 14, 9:15 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker saw a career high of 86 carries in 2025, and although his efficiency dipped drastically from his 2024 sophomore campaign, he could see an expanded role in 2026. With fifth-year back Rachaad White scheduled to hit free agency, and a weak incoming rookie class, Tucker should slot in as Bucky Irving's primary backup/change-of-pace back. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has already compared Irving to Bijan Robinson, whom he rode to a league-leading 2,298 yards from scrimmage with the Falcons in 2025. The unspoken silver lining is that, in Robinson's two seasons in Atlanta, backup running back Tyler Allgeier averaged 671 yards and over five touchdowns while working behind arguably the most talented back in the league. Where Tucker will need to make significant strides to stay on the field is in the passing game. He averaged an abysmal 0.58 yards per route run in 2025, his second time below 0.7 yards through his first three seasons. If Robinson can tap into Tucker's game-breaking speed and boost his efficiency while working him into the passing game, the fourth-year back could be in line for a minor breakout.

Tuesday, February 17, 9:22 AM

The Athletic's Vic Tafur writes that it seems as though the San Francisco 49ers "have big plans" for second-year running back Jordan James. Brian Robinson Jr. had a nice season as the backup to star RB Christian McCaffrey, carrying the ball 92 times for 400 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, but the 26-year-old will be a free agent in March. James, 21, was taken in the fifth round out of Oregon last year, but he played in only three games and didn't have a single touch out of the backfield. Isaac Guerendo is an obvious cut candidate, but James probably will only see a significant role in San Fran's backfield in 2026 if Robinson walks in free agency. James was a healthy scratch for the first 14 games of the 2025 season and only played on special teams to close out the year. If Robinson isn't back next season, James will be an obvious handcuff for the oft-injured CMC.