In the final installment of our three-part series, we’re turning the spotlight on the running back position. Today’s comparison: Kyren Williams vs. Bucky Irving -- two young backs entering their prime and looking to secure big second contracts through high-end production.

Kyren Williams was not on many people's radars entering the 2023 season after carrying the ball 35 times for less than 4 yards per carry as a rookie in 2022. However, he exploded in 2023 and then continued high-end productivity in 2024. Bucky Irving, meanwhile, was supposed to be a complementary back to Rachaad White in Tampa last season, but emerged as the primary threat out of the backfield by the second half. Now, both Williams and Irving stand to be low-end RB1s for fantasy purposes or outstanding RB2s. But, which is the better option? Let's dig in.

The Strengths:

Kyren has a knack for finding the end zone -- scoring 31 touchdowns over the past two seasons despite missing six games. That's elite company. Under Sean McVay's system -- the same one that helped Todd Gurley rack up 54 TDs from 2017-2019 -- Williams now plays the "Gurley role." His per-game production is right in line with that, minus Gurley's edge as a receiver.

To put it in perspective: Williams has averaged more than one touchdown per game over his last 28 games. That puts him in rare air. Only Jahmyr Gibbs has matched his 31 TDs over the last two years, and Gibbs needed four more games to get there. So, on a per-game basis, Williams is the most efficient scoring RB in fantasy football. It begs the question -- why isn't he a surefire first-round pick in redraft formats? (More on that later.)

Bucky entered last season expected to complement Rachaad White in Tampa Bay. Instead, he took over the backfield by midseason and never looked back.

Irving finished with just 207 carries -- but made the most of them, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, fourth in the NFL behind Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Gibbs. He posted over 1,500 total yards, including more than 1,100 rushing yards, despite sharing touches early in the season.

The Buccaneers' offense is now too balanced to stack the box against, especially with rookie standout Emeka Egbuka adding to their already deep WR room. Irving averaged 18 carries per game over the final four weeks of the season. If that trend holds, he's on pace for nearly 100 more carries -- and potentially over 500 additional rushing yards -- in 2025. That's a massive ceiling for a back who's clearly more efficient than his backfield competition.

The Weaknesses:

Let's return to that yards-per-carry stat. Williams averaged just 4.1 YPC in 2024, nearly a full yard lower than his 2023 number -- and well below Irving's 5.4. Even though Williams handled 109 more carries than Irving, he only gained 177 more rushing yards.

Sure, he's durable and trusted with volume, but he wasn't especially explosive with those extra carries. In fact, Williams had five games last season with 21+ carries where he didn't reach 100 yards. His scoring keeps his floor high -- making him a safe RB2 -- but RB1s usually bring more efficiency. When it comes to ceiling, Irving may have the edge.

On the flip side, Irving's passing game involvement is a concern. While he's flashed playmaking ability, he didn't score a single receiving TD last year -- while Rachaad White had six. White has averaged 55 receptions per year through his career and is clearly the more trusted receiving back in Tampa.

That likely limits Irving's third-down upside. Meanwhile, Kyren Williams faces virtually no backfield competition -- Blake Corum's 3.6 YPC and 8 targets last year don't scream "threat." White's continued presence does limit Irving to some extent, even if not dramatically.

The Verdict:

So, what’s more valuable to your team: a touchdown-dependent grinder with locked-in usage (Williams), or a high-efficiency runner with room to grow and a slightly more diverse skillset (Irving)?

Williams likely maintains a touchdown advantage, but Irving should be able to crack double-digit TDs in 2025 -- especially if he continues seeing 15+ carries per game. While neither back is a pass-catching monster, Irving was more productive than Williams through the air last season, despite splitting time with a target-hogging teammate.

To be clear, Williams did lead the Rams' RBs in targets by a wide margin -- but he ranked just 38th among RBs in overall targets. That’s largely due to the Rams’ offensive design, which funnels most passes to wide receivers. And with no changes to the QB or scheme this offseason, we can expect more of the same.

Bottom line:

• In PPR or half-PPR formats, Irving is the preferred pick, offering better yardage upside and more potential in the passing game.
  
  
• In standard formats, it’s closer -- and Williams' nose for the end zone makes him a strong option who’s hard to pass up.

If you’re drafting early and going WR-heavy, grabbing both at the 2/3 turn could be a league-winning move.

"Feet to the fire," we're giving the slight edge to Bucky Irving based on upside, efficiency, and receiving involvement -- but it's close, and both backs are strong picks depending on build and format.

Projected 2025 Statistics:

Kyren Williams: 1,180 rushing yards; 30 receptions, 205 receiving yards, 15 total TDs

Bucky Irving: 1,330 rushing yards; 52 receptions, 415 receiving yards, 12 total TDs

Best of luck in your upcoming drafts!