Buccaneers Facing Brutal Decision at Running Back

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht found a gem in the fourth round last April at No. 125. The Bucs drafted Oregon running back Bucky Irving to help bolster their last-place rushing attack from 2023.

And did it ever work ...

Irving started the season as the No. 2 back, and while never receiving the title as official RB1, took over the majority of the carries in the final half of the season as incumbent starting back, Rachaad White continued to chip in from time to time.

Irving finished the season with 1,122 yards on 207 carries during his rookie season and added eight touchdowns for a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. He added 392 yards on 47 catches and got his first receiving touchdown of the season in the Wild Card loss to the Commanders in the postseason.

White ended the year with 613 yards on 144 carries and three touchdowns. He added 393 yards on 51 receptions and another six scores through the air.

Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report thinks that might make White expendable as Irving should be the starter next year.

"Bucky Irving separated himself as the best running back on the team as the season wore on. That could lead to another team inquiring about Rachaad White's availability. Getting a pick in return while he's still young and valuable to another team might be the shrewd thing to do," Ballentine writes.

The Bucs can always use more draft picks, but they also need a bonafide rushing attack to continue the success they found last year with the one-two punch of White and Irving. Keeping White might be what's best in the long run.