Bucs coach Todd Bowles addressed Bucky Irving and the team’s backfield at the annual spring meetings.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles spoke to the media on Tuesday and was asked about the running back hierarchy. Bowles made it clear that while it is a committee situation, he did not mince words while mentioning the second-year running back Bucky Irving’s name first.
“Bucky (Irving) will be the guy coming in. Rachaad (White) will play a ton, too. Depending on how the game goes is how you rotate and use them… I think we gotta get Sean (Tucker) in there a little bit more, as well, because he’s a heck of a runner for us and we gotta play him a lot more than we played him in the past.”
In 2024, Irving amassed 1,514 yards from scrimmage with eight touchdowns to his credit. White totaled 1,006 yards with nine TDs and Tucker 413/3.
Bowles has mentioned an increased workload for Tucker in the past, which never really came to fruition for the Bucs. While the 1-2 backs are must-roster players in the high-power Tampa Bay offense, the changing of the guard seems complete since Irving became the go-to back by the midway point of last year.
Author: Sam Schneider (@BuyAndSellYou)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has seen ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has seen ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White once again ...
Rachaad White’s dynasty future remains very cloudy after the emergence of Bucky Irving.
Heading into the 2024 season, Rachaad White looked like one of the safest selections in drafts at his ~rb14 draft position because of the massive workload he received in 2023, the perceived lack of competition for touches, and his unquestioned pass catching abilities at the position(64 catches/549 yards).
The Bucs 4th round pick running back Bucky Irving showed flashes of the the imminent future early on, but those in denial explained it through various tropes in the “copecabulary,” as there was still very little reason for concern. The bigger, more physically imposing 214lb White would have the short yardage work and the passing game work almost exclusively to himself over the 195lb Irving.
Things changed after an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos at home. Todd Bowles made it known that Bucky Irving would be “more involved” moving forward. From week 4 on Bucky gave the Bucs a dynamic punch the backfield had lacked, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and recording 40 receptions. Irving would finish outside of the top 24 on the week just twice from weeks 4-10 despite only playing 60% of snaps once in the same span.
So where does that leave us with Rachaad White in 2025? White is entering the final year of his rookie deal with Tampa. The Bucs are certainly not inclined to trade him. However, they have shown no signs of him regaining a major role in the offense as he handled just one carry for one yard and two catches for 14 yards in the Wild Card loss to the Commanders. Bucky handled 19 touches for 83 yards and a score.
White’s future as a high end dynasty asset is seems tied to a change of environment or a decline in the health of Bucky Irving, making him a dynasty faller.
Justin Currie
@Chev90 on X
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Rachaad White is officially inactive, Bucky Irving to draw the start.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting running back Rachaad White is set to miss Sunday’s matchup vs Saints. White was struggling averaging 3.7 yards per carry, he will now get replaced by Bucky Irving, who was already cutting into White’s workload will now get it all.
Bucky Irving have a heavy workload this weekend, he is averaging almost 50 rushing yards per game, but he will now get work as the receiving back. Irving should produce good numbers in PPR formats. Look for White to come back Week 7 back to his starting role.
Rachaad White is one of the top fallers in PlayerProfiler’s Dynasty Deluxe lifetime value rating for the beginning of October.
Rachaad White’s dynasty value has been declining due to the emergence of rookie running back Bucky Irving. Initially seen as a pass-catching threat, Irving has shown impressive explosiveness as a runner. Irving averages 5.6 yards per carry this season compared to White’s 3.6.
While White had a notable 56-yard run in Week 5, he couldn’t capitalize on it for a touchdown and doesn’t seem like a safe bet to consistently break off long runs. Additionally, Irving’s costly fumble late in Week 5 is sure to raise concerns about his ball security. Despite these factors, Irving’s overall performance suggests he will be the better long-term option. Dynasty owners of White should consider capitalizing on the moment and selling him now before his value drops further. The uncertainty surrounding his future role in the offense, and head coach Todd Bowles’ commitment to Irving even after the fumble, makes this a good time to sell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles would like to take some weight off his star running back Rachaad White.
According to PewterReport, Todd Bowles was asked about Rachaad White’s workload in 2023 to which Bowles said, “definitely like to have another back in here to take some of the weight off.” Bowles also made mention of liking what Chase Edmonds offered last season. If Chase Edmonds is any barometer of satisfaction for Coach Bowles, don’t expect too much serious competition for Rachaad White in 2024.
Rachaad White’s 3.5 True Yards Per Carry ranked 57th overall for running backs in 2023. White’s 64 receptions (ranked 4th) buoyed his rushing inefficiency for fantasy managers. Ranking 2nd in carries and 9th in targets at his position, Rachaad White ate more volume in 2023 than you could find at a Golden Corral.
In 2024, look for any running back brought in by the Buccaneers to be someone more on the spell side than taking too much opportunity share away from Rachaad White. At 44 overall in the middle of round 3 on UnderDog you are paying ceiling prices whereas White was found on many teams last year in the 7th round. Without any competition brought in, White’s price is overheated in BestBall. The pivot to make is by checking in on the liquidity market in Dynasty. Can you sell Kenneth Walker to acquire Rachaad White? On the flip side, can you sell Rachaad White for Tyjae Spears while offering a rookie pick swap?
The beauty of Rachaad White’s market is you and your trade partner can be on either side of the deal with both sides coming up roses.
The Buccaneers have replaced Dave Canales with Kentucky offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Liam Coen.
So long as you’ve worked as a coach with Sean McVay you can be assured you will always have food, a job, and your pets’ heads will remain intact. New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is the latest hire from the Sean McVay coaching tree. Liam Coen spent last season as the Kentucky offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
The Buccaneers look to reunite impending free agent Baker Mayfield with a coach he is familiar, having worked under Liam Coen in their shared time with the Rams. In 2023, Baker Mayfield’s 4,044 passing yards was number 9 overall in the NFL paired with 28 touchdowns which ranked 7th. The Buccaneers will want to replicate last season’s offensive production and having a familiar coach will help keep Mayfield in Tampa Bay. Hanging in the balance is whether Mike Evans will re-sign. Evans, who will be a free agent this offseason, prints 1,000 yard receiving seasons like clockwork. A departure for Mike Evans would vault Chris Godwin to the lead receiver role on Tampa Bay while second year wideout Trey Palmer would become a sneaky late round draft pick.
All purpose running back Rachaad White remains a hold and buy in dynasty. His 990 rushing yards were number 14 in the league while his 549 receiving yards were third in the NFL for running backs. The Buccaneers are likely to add a running back late in the 2024 NFL Draft, but do not let it dissuade you from rostering Rachaad White.
Philosophically, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look very similar to their 2023 structure. The output was desirable and helped lead the post Tom Brady Buccaneers to the playoffs, a feat they aim to repeat in 2024.
