Look, the NFL Draft process is weird. We spend months obsessing over a tenth of a second in the 40-yard dash or how high a guy can jump in spandex. Then the actual games start, and suddenly the "unathletic" kid is making Pro Bowlers look like they're ice skating in work boots. That is basically the short version of the Bucky Irving scouting report.
When Irving came out of Oregon, the "experts" were skeptical. He was small. He didn't test well at the Combine. His 29.5-inch vertical jump was... well, it was bad. It was bottom-of-the-barrel for a modern running back. But if you actually watched him play in Eugene—or if you've seen him carving up NFL defenses for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lately—you know the "tape vs. testing" debate isn't even a contest.
The Oregon Tape: Where the Hype Started
Bucky wasn't just productive at Oregon; he was a human highlight reel. Honestly, his 2023 season was a masterclass in how to be a "big" small back. He finished that year with 1,180 rushing yards and a massive 56 receptions. That last number is the one that really caught the eyes of NFL scouts.
He wasn't just catching flares. He was running real routes.
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The coolest thing about his college profile? The missed tackles. PFF had him as one of the most elusive players in the country. He forced 69 missed tackles in his final year with the Ducks. He has this weird, low center of gravity—kind of like a bowling ball made of rubber. Defenders would hit him, and he’d just... bounce. It wasn't about power in the traditional sense. It was about contact balance.
That Disappointing Combine Performance
Then came Indianapolis. The 2024 NFL Combine was almost a disaster for Bucky's draft stock.
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds (Average)
- Vertical Jump: 29.5 inches (Poor)
- Broad Jump: 9'7" (Below Average)
- Weight: 192 lbs (Light)
People saw those numbers and panicked. "He’s too slow to be small," they said. "He doesn't have the explosiveness to win at the next level." It’s why he slid all the way to the 4th round, pick 125. The Buccaneers eventually pulled the trigger, and man, are they glad they did.
Bucky Irving Scouting Report: The NFL Reality
The thing about Bucky is that his "game speed" is totally different from his "track speed." He has what coaches call "suddenness." He can stop, start, and change direction without losing momentum. In his rookie year with Tampa, he didn't just survive; he thrived. He ended up leading all rookies in rushing yards with 1,122.
Think about that. He beat out all the guys who jumped higher and ran faster in Indy.
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Why He’s Hard to Tackle
It comes down to vision and that "squatty" build. At 5'9", he hides behind his offensive linemen. By the time a linebacker sees him, Bucky has already made a lateral cut and is four yards downfield. He led the NFL in missed tackle percentage (37.1%) as a rookie. That is an insane stat. Basically, every three times you try to tackle him, you're going to miss once.
He runs with a chip on his shoulder. You can see it when he finishes runs. He doesn't go out of bounds; he lowers that 192-pound frame and tries to punish the safety.
What He Still Needs to Fix
No scouting report is all sunshine and rainbows. Bucky has flaws. Honestly, the pass protection is still a bit of a nightmare. He’s small, and when a 250-pound blitzing linebacker comes screaming through the A-gap, Bucky sometimes looks like he’s trying to stop a freight train with a hand shield.
He also had some injury scares in 2024 and 2025. Foot sprains, shoulder issues—the "durability" question mark for sub-200-pound backs is real. If he’s going to be a long-term starter, he has to prove he can handle 15-20 touches a game without breaking down by November.
The 2025 Season Shift
In 2025, things got a bit tougher. Teams started keying in on him. His yards per carry dropped from that elite 5.4 as a rookie to around 3.4 through the middle of the 2025 season. Some of that was an offensive line regression in Tampa, but some was just the "book" getting out on him. Defenders are staying home more, playing him for the cutback, and forcing him to win with pure speed—which we know isn't his best trait.
Final Verdict for Fantasy and Reality
If you're looking at the Bucky Irving scouting report for your dynasty team or just to understand why the Bucs keep feeding him, here is the bottom line: He is a "functional" superstar. He won't ever be Saquon Barkley, but he might be the next Austin Ekeler or Kyren Williams.
He’s a high-floor player because of his receiving skills. Even when the run game is stuffed, he’s going to catch 4-5 balls a game.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're evaluating Irving for the future, keep a close eye on Tampa's offensive line moves this off-season. He needs a "gap" scheme where pullers can create those muddy lanes he loves to navigate. Also, check his snap counts compared to Rachaad White. When Bucky is over 60% of snaps, the production usually follows, regardless of the YPC.
Watch for him to improve his "strike" in pass pro—if he can stay on the field for 3rd-and-long, he goes from a good committee back to a top-10 NFL weapon.