Buccaneers Backfield Fantasy Breakdown: Rachaad White vs. Bucky Irving vs. Sean Tucker
Taking a look at the Tampa Bay backfield and its best fantasy starting options.
The Tampa Bay backfield has been a mess for most of the season, and it was further complicated in week 6.
Let’s take a look at the team’s three running backs and what to expect for week 7.
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Running Back Options
Rachaad White and Bucky Irving had been splitting the workload up until week 6, but with White out with an injury, Sean Tucker stepped in and actually outperformed Irving.
Irving had been the most efficient playmaker between him and White. Irving has 328 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 58 attempts, while adding 70 yards on 10 catches and 12 targets.
White is at 187 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 51 attempts, while going for 127 yards on 17 catches and 19 targets.
Tucker had barely played until week 6. He now has 143 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts and 70 receiving yards and a score on four catches and targets.
Thankfully, no other Tampa Bay running backs have been involved offensively.
Week 7 Outlook/Matchup
The Buccaneers play on Monday night in week 7, taking on the Baltimore Ravens.
That means just one practice is in the books for the Bucs, and White was limited with his foot injury on Thursday. His status is one to watch as the week progresses.
If White plays, this backfield is a nightmare from a fantasy perspective. Then you not only have White and Irving splitting snaps and touches, but Tucker now thrown in too. I don’t think the Bucs would just banish Tucker to the bench and go back to the White and Irving combo after Tucker’s monster week 6 showing. It’s a good problem to have for Tampa Bay, but not for fantasy owners.
If White is inactive again, then you just have to decide if Irving or Tucker are starting options. It’s still not a clear situation, but at least some of the hassle is taken out of the equation.
To complicate matters, the Ravens’ defense is stout in slowing opposing running backs. Baltimore allows just 17 points a week, tied for the third-fewest points so far this season.
The most rushing yards the Ravens have allowed in a game this season was 81 to the Buffalo Bills, and quarterback Josh Allen had 21 of those yards. Only two opponents have reached 70 rushing yards, with two barely over 50 and the Las Vegas Raiders checking in with 27 yards.
The Ravens are not a defense to test often with fantasy running backs, no matter how good the back.
Week 7 Projections and Starting Recommendations
I was originally going to offer up some long-term assessments of the Bucs’ backfield, but this is truly a week-to-week situation to monitor. This could be resolved with a long-term injury, or trade, but it seems likely that it’s a year-long problem for fantasy owners.
The week 7 projections like Irving the best, as he’s projected for 10 PPR fantasy points. White is at eight points, while Tucker sits at seven.
Honestly, I think those are pretty fair marks for each player, although I don’t see the trio combining for 25 points - the projections are likely to change when White’s injury status is official for Monday, but that also means all the Sunday games will be completed and those starting option deadlines have passed by the time the Bucs play. Luckily, there’s two Monday night games this week to maybe ease the blow a little bit.
Anyways, I think if there was a Bucs’ back to play this week, that Irving would be the guy. He’d been splitting the workload with White the first five weeks, and probably has the safest fantasy floor if he’s playing this week.
White is a risky play, not only because of his injury, but because he’s looked replaceable most of the season and could definitely be squeezed out by Irving and Tucker after what happened last week.
Tucker is another pretty risky play if White is playing, just because he’s barely played when White and Irving have been active this season.
Coach Todd Bowles said all three backs would play if they are healthy, and that the team might just ride the hot hand. That’s not what fantasy owners want to hear whatsoever.
In terms of standard leagues, I’d do my best to avoid starting any of the three backs, regardless if White plays or not. The matchup is brutal, and if there’s no clear leader between Irving and Tucker, I simply cannot trust either of them. The only way I’d start them is if my team was decimated by injuries from the Sunday games and those were my only options left. If White is active, I’d be even more against playing any of these three backs.
As leagues get bigger and deeper, that’s when I’d be more comfortable playing one of the three backs. I wouldn’t be all that confident in any of the three, but as a final flex starter, I’d be fine taking a gamble on one of them.
Here’s my best guess as to how things would shake out. If White plays, I like Irving first, then White, and then Tucker. If White is out, I expect Irving to lead the way and Tucker to be the No. 2 fantasy option.
Best of luck as you try to navigate this seemingly impossible decision. This seems like it could become a weekly article, so check back in coming weeks to see if anything changes.
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