Bucs Nation
A well-deserved selection for the rookie running back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was named to the 2024 All-Rookie Team, in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Irving, a fourth-round selection (No. 125 overall) out of Oregon, led all rookies in rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (8), while averaging 5.4 yards per attempt. His 5.4 yards per carry was the third-highest mark in NFL history among rookies with at least 200 rushing attempts in a season, trailing only Adrian Peterson (5.6 in 2007) and Clinton Portis (5.5 in 2002). His season rushing average also established a new Buccaneers single-season record (min. 100 rushes) and ranked fourth in the NFL among running backs, trailing only Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Irving added 47 receptions for 392 yards to total 1,514 yards from scrimmage, which also topped all rookies and ranked 10th overall in the NFL. He became just the fourth rookie since 2018 to surpass 1,500 scrimmage yards, joining Puka Nacua (2023), Najee Harris (2022) and Saquon Barkley (2018).
Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Irving forced the highest missed tackle rate among ball carriers with at least 150 touches (35.8%). Additionally, his 91 missed tackles forced were the fourth-most in the NFL this season.
Irving helped ignite a Tampa Bay rushing attack – which had ranked 32nd in the NFL the previous two seasons – to the third-most rushing yards and the third-highest per carry average in the league in 2024. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in points per game (29.5) on their way to their fourth straight NFC South division title and fifth consecutive playoff berth, the longest current streak in the NFC and third-longest in the NFL.
Since Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht’s first year in 2014, Tampa Bay has drafted 11 players who have earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
(Courtesy of the Buccaneers Communications Department.)
