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PFF’s Trevor Sikkema Loves Bucs RB Bucky Irving

Originally posted on PewterReport.com | By Scott Reynolds | Last updated 4/29/24

The Bucs needed a backup running back to split carries with Rachaad White and found one of the draft’s more interesting options in the form of Oregon’s Bucky Irving, who stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 192 pounds.

But Irving, Tampa Bay’s fourth-round pick, plays like a big back trapped in the body of a smaller back, and is incredibly hard to bring down due to his contact balance and determined running style.

“We had him in for a visit and he told us the first guy does not tackle him,” said Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek. “And I think that’s what you are looking for as running backs, especially when they’re not the biggest running backs. It’s no secret that Bucky is not Christian Okoye, so he’s not going to run through people’s face all the time.

“But if you look at his production, whether it was at Minnesota or Oregon – he’s six yards a carry. So he’s hard to get on the ground for a man that is less than 200 pounds. And when you do hit him, which is hard to do, it’s hard to knock him off his feet. He has a lot of qualities that we look for in a running back.”

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema Is A Big Bucky Irving Fan

John Spytek and the Bucs aren’t the only big fans of Bucky Irving’s game. Pro Football Focus draft analyst Trevor Sikkema, a former Pewter Reporter, absolutely loves Irving. Sikkema, who is from Sarasota and grew up following the Bucs, is thrilled to see Irving land in Tampa Bay.

Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, Sikkema joined the Pewter Report Podcast where Matt Matera asked him who one of his favorite draft prospects was – regardless of position. Sikkema immediately mentioned the Oregon running back.

“There are a handful of guys at a lot of positions where this question could be answered, but Bucky Irving from the running back position – I really like Bucky Irving,” Sikkema said. “I know he’s smaller. I know he didn’t test really great athletically, but here’s the thing – we have two metrics at PFF that I love to lean on that help separate running backs and ballcarriers from the offensive line in front of them. Because that’s the age-old question because it’s like, ‘Oh, this guy has a lot of rushing yards, a lot of rushing touchdowns, and a healthy yards-per-carry average.

“Well, is it just the offensive line in front of him? Was it him? What’s going on?’ A good way to individualize that – no matter what the offensive line is in front of him, a good one or a bad one – is missed tackles forced per attempt because that shows anytime you get in a situation where you have the ability to make a guy miss, are you making a guy miss? Bucky Irving’s is incredibly high.”

Irving ran for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries (6.3 avg.) last season for the Ducks. According to PFF, Irving produced 69 missed tackles forced last year at Oregon, which was tied for 10th in the nation.

“And then yards after contact,” Sikkema continued. “So again, that could be contact behind the line of scrimmage, it could be contact at the line of scrimmage, or it could be contact five, 10 yards down the field. But whenever you get hit, how many yards do you get after that? And again, Bucky Irving has a very high yards-after-contact per attempt average. I really like Bucky Irving a lot. That is someone who immediately comes to mind as one of ‘my guys’ if you will.”

Of Irving’s 1,180 yards last year, 743 of those yards came after contact, which was the 24th-most of any running back in the country. His yards after contact average was 3.99, which ranked 23rd nationally.

Irving was incredibly productive at Oregon over the past two years with a healthy 6.5 average and back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He also led all college running backs last year with 56 catches for 413 yards (7.4 avg.) and two receiving touchdowns.

Watch the entire clip of Sikkema discussing Irving prior to the draft on the Pewter Report Podcast by clicking the video below.