Position Group: Running Back
Players: Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker, Chase Edmonds (Reserve/Injured), D.J. Williams (Reserve/Future)
2024 Evaluation: The Buccaneers' run game was revitalized in 2024 under the tutelage of Liam Coen, with a heavy dose of gap principles and counter runs that fit the skillset of the offensive line and the prowess of rookie Bucky Irving. Tampa Bay's 5.3 rushing yards per attempt this season set a new franchise record as did its 2,536 total rushing yards. Bucky Irving (1,514) and Rachaad White (1,006) were one of two running back duos in the NFL with 1,000-plus total yards from scrimmage each (Detroit - Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery). The Buccaneers are the first team since 2022 with a trio of running backs over 400 yards from scrimmage while all averaging at least 5.0 yards per touch. The last to do so was the 2022 Kansas City Chiefs trio of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco.
Bucky Irving led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (eight) in 2024. He had eight games with at least one rushing touchdown, the most such games by a rookie in franchise history. In addition, Irving finished first in the NFL in forced missed tackle percentage (37.1%) and led all rookies with 76 forced missed tackles. He set the tone, forcing opposing teams to respect the Bucs' run game. After finishing last in rushing the previous two seasons, the Bucs finished fourth in the NFL in 2024. Irving was rarely brought down on first contact and possesses impressive short-area quickness to maneuver around congestion. Irving's lateral movement cannot be taught. He quickly shuffles his feet then gets vertical, leaving defenders grasping for a piece of his jersey. Irving finds lanes that do not exist for most people, and he squeezes through with ease. He put forth one of the most impressive rookie debuts to date, spurring the ground attack.
Rachaad White played 591 snaps (51.75%) and recorded 613 yards on 144 totes and three touchdowns. He put up 393 receiving yards on 51 receptions, elevating Tampa Bay's screen game. White is the team's best pass protector, and he did the dirty work in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He is a natural runner in the open field and is patient in letting blocks develop. White is a proficient pass-catching back, making an impact for the Bucs' offense off checkdowns and routes in the short-to-intermediate area.
Sean Tucker tallied 112 snaps (9.81%) and accumulated 308 yards on 50 totes in 2024. His most notable performance came in Tampa Bay's 51-27 win over the New Orleans Saints. Tucker was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week Six for his stellar contributions on the gridiron. Tucker – a second-year Syracuse product – recorded a career-high 192 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns in Week Six, amassing 136 rushing yards on 14 carries (9.7 average) and 56 receiving yards on three receptions. He led all players in Week Six in rushing yards, rushing yards per attempt and scrimmage yards, while tying for the second-most receiving yards among running backs. Tucker was one-of-two players with both a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown in Week Six, alongside Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon. After a Tucker 34-yard run off a counter with backside pulling, he ran into the end zone to put the exclamation mark on the victory against a divisional foe. Both Chase Edmonds and D.J. Williams did not have any offensive snaps in 2024.
2025 Outlook: Chase Edmonds is among the Bucs' list of impending unrestricted free agents. Edmonds emerged as the primary backfield complement to White in 2023 and he signed his second-straight one-year deal with the Bucs in 2024. He missed the duration of the 2024 campaign due to a knee injury and spent four years previously with the Arizona Cardinals, before splitting the 2022 season between the Dolphins and Broncos. He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Cardinals in 2018.
