Bucky Irving Named One Of Biggest Draft Steals

November 30th, 2024

Thievery.

Bucky Irving may not be the RB1 of the Bucs but he is with the crowd at “The 33rd Team.”

Specifically, that would be former NFL Executive of the Year, former Vikings and Titans shot-caller Jeff Diamond.

In looking at the 2024 draft class, Diamond picked the top 14 players he believes are steals. Diamond believes Irving is the fifth-best steal this past spring.

Irving is a definite steal as a fourth-round pick and as the sixth running back taken. …

Irving leads all rookie backs with 831 combined yards (579 rushing yards to rank second among rookies and 252 yards on 32 catches). He has scored five touchdowns to help the Bucs remain in contention for the NFC South title or a wild card spot.

He shows great moves and the ability to evade tacklers with his balance and acceleration.

Joe understands why the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, Ira Kaufman, along with many Bucs fans, are frustrated Irving isn’t the Bucs’ starting running back. Understandable. He produces.

Now whether Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen will have Irving backing up struggling running back Rachaad White tomorrow is unknown. However, the results cannot be argued. Irving and the Bucs offense are getting the job done.

In a way, it is a good thing Irving isn’t getting more carries. He’ll be fresher for all the must-win games the Bucs have the next six weeks.

24 Responses to “Bucky Irving Named One Of Biggest Draft Steals”

  1. Stanglassman Says:

    “Ira Kaufman, along with many Bucs fans, are frustrated that Irving isn’t the Bucs’ starting quarterback. “ Huh?

    Bucky really is the do it all player.

  2. SB Says:

    LOL as the 125th pick I believe he IS THE steal of the draft.

  3. JimBobBuc Says:

    On the list above, Bucky was the lowest pick at 125, and is 5th best in the list! Way to go Bucky, and great pick by Licht and his team.

  4. adam from ny Says:

    you just new he was gonna………

    go bucky go…!

    run bucky run…!

    score bucky score…!

  5. adam from ny Says:

    knew* as in tanner knue*

  6. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    Bucky Bucky Bucky

  7. NJbucs23 Says:

    Mustapha is a baller as well. One pick ahead. Crazy

  8. Crickett Baker Says:

    The Bucky part of this article is great but RW is doing fine, too. I can’t see putting him down either. Both of them had runs where they gained naught and both had touchdowns.

  9. Joshua Says:

    But Licht is the problem lmao 🤣 😂 🙄

  10. LouisFriend Says:

    The Bucs have gotten their version of Tony Pollard, who like Irving was excellent as RB2 with Dallas. While he was backing up Elliot in Dallas, Pollard average over 5 YPC each of his first four years. When he took the reins as lead back it dropped to 4 YPC. He’s still good, just not as good as he was as RB2.

    It’s possible Irving’s numbers are also as good as he because he isn’t being worn down by being a bell cow back. We’ll never know until he gets more carries.

  11. Anon Says:

    By definition, RB in the 4th is never a steal. Especially not one with a probable career limiting toe issue that fumbled the Falcons game away potentially costing us the playoffs. And roster construction wise, Bucs spent a 4th to keep the NFC player of the week on the bench.

    Just my contrarian pushback. Love what Bucky’s brought to the team otherwise.

  12. GoneGator Says:

    Buckys definitely been a great addition. Counting on Coen to keep using him correctly 👍🏼

  13. GoneGator Says:

    Crickett Baker Says:
    November 30th, 2024 at 11:07 am
    The Bucky part of this article is great but RW is doing fine, too. I can’t see putting him down either. Both of them had runs where they gained naught and both had touchdowns

    Careful…. The “bug and tug” crew will jump on you if you don’t agree RW sucks (as a runner -lol) and should be relegated to 3rd string or put in the slot. 🙄🤣

  14. Anyhony Says:

    How can the 12th overall pick be a steal? Isn’t the 12th pick supposed to be a quality starter. And………Anon, get a grip!

  15. Stillabucsfan Says:

    Bucky didn’t fumble the Atlanta game away, the nfl and ref’s did when they didn’t call the fumble as a touchback. Bucs were up 14-7 at the time, if we had gotten the fumble touchback and the ball I’ve got a good feeling it would have been 21-7 and a completely different outcome 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

  16. MadMax Says:

    Told you….i said if we go small and slippery get Bucky, if we want to go bigger, go with estime….bucky was the pick and we’re all benefiting

  17. Dewey Selmon Says:

    I know it’s a QB driven league but Bucky should get some rookie of the year votes.

  18. BucVoyager Says:

    Went back and read some of the comments on draft day. Bucky got LOTS of hate here and so did Licht.

    What a turn around

  19. 1sparkybuc Says:

    Irving should be the #1 steal. All of these players were picked ahead of him, except for number 12 and number 14.

  20. David Says:

    Starting comes down to probably how well you block as a running back and very few rookie running backs are very good at it.
    White has become pretty good at it. Even so, Bucky is getting more carries than White. I would like to see Tucker’s workload increase.

  21. Fred McNeil Says:

    Bucky is indeed THEE steal of the draft seeing as he was pick 125. Nix was a steal even at 12. He should have gone first.
    I wouldn’t use Bucky too much more cuz he’s not very big. I would use Tucker more instead.

  22. StickinUp4Centers Says:

    Stillabucsfan – That was two separate Atlanta games. The first one had the Irving fumble (and the non-facemask holding call). The second had the Winfield no fumble call.

  23. JimBuc2 Says:

    Put White as the X Tuck as FB, Buck RB on 1st down in + territory.
    Gas
    Go Bucs!

  24. Dave Pear Says:

    Fortunately the Bucs are coached by a genius who keeps Bucky on the bench for critical situations. When you have the league’s premier situational football mangler, it’s what fans get.