The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a rarity in the modern NFL. While Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles are more than equipped to defend their NFC South title, they are willing to let Jason Licht's new additions in the 2024 NFL Draft earn some major snaps.
Center Graham Barton is already a quality starter, while pass rusher Chris Braswell, wide receiver Jalen McMillan, and safety Tykee Smith have earned some snaps as role players. The best of these picks, however, has been running back Bucky Irving. The Oregon alum is making a strong RB1 case
With Irving averaging a robust 6.2 yards per carry and Rachaad White struggling to get much of anything going lately, Tampa Bay has been hinting that Irving could eventually take over. Comments from the coaching staff make it seem like there are big plans in place for Irving.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen said that Tampa is designing more plays specifically for Irving, which comes just a few days after Todd Bowles said that Irving has earned more playing time. While Bowles has gone back on those comments, the genie may be out of the bottle already.
The Bucs seem to have landed a starting center, running back, and slot wide receiver, all in one draft.
OC Liam Coen says that when rookie RB Bucky Irving touches the ball, good things tend to happen. The Bucs have designed some plays for him that they're not using with any other players.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 26, 2024
Buccaneers have even more elite rookie class after Bucky Irving improvements
Barton has gone off to such a strong start that he could easily lock down the center position for most of the next decade. In a position that isn't always very easy for rookies to come in and perform, Barton has looked like a seamless fit in front of Mayfield on the line.
Braswell has had a slow start, but he is still in on 31% of defensive snaps. Smith has made some plays as a fill-in safety after Antoine Winfield Jr. suffered an injury, while McMillan has a handful of big catches to his name and should be in line for more as his role expands.
Irving has immediately stepped up, showing that teams worried about his size and lackluster long speed were wrong to overlook his hard running and short-area quickness. Irving was incredibly efficient at Oregon, and he has stayed hot with Tampa Bay.
The Bucs have stayed successful after Tom Brady thanks to Licht's impressive drafting. Even with Brady retired and Mike Evans aging, the Bucs have enough supplementary pieces around them to compete for a division title once again.