Mar'Keise Irving Injury History & Updates

Bottom Line

The Buccaneers addressed their lack of RB depth by drafting Irving in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

Irving is multi-faceted, leading Oregon in rushing over the last two years while also being a major part of the passing game.

His talent gives him an instant edge to be the bac-up RB to Rachaad White and earn snaps. If White gets injured, Irving could be an every-week fantasy starter.

We are higher on Irving than his ADP as an upside shot to take late in drafts.

What We Learned Last Year

• Irving was selected by the Buccaneers with the 125th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
• He spent one season at Minnesota and two seasons at Oregon.
• Irving led Oregon in rushing over the last two seasons.
• He never missed a college game due to injury.
• In 2023, he had the best year of his career:
  • 186 carries
  • 1,180 yards
  • 6.34 yards per carry
  • 11 rushing TDs
• Irving recorded the 25th most rushing yards in the FBS.
• He ranked 44th in the FBS in rushing yards per game with 84.29.
• Irving is also a capable receiver. He graded 13th among RBs in Pro Football Focus receiving grade last year, totaling 56 receptions for 413 yards and two TDs.
• At the NFL Combine, Irving measured in at 5’9, 192 pounds
• He ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the Combine and registered a poor 2.22 Relative Athletic Score.

What to Expect in 2024

• Irving enters his first season with the Buccaneers under HC Todd Bowles
• New OC Liam Coen spent last year as the Kentucky OC after coordinating the Rams in 2022.
  • In 2022, the Rams ranked 25th with 411 rushing attempts.
• The Buccaneers are expected to take a slight step backward. They are tied for second in the NFC South with a 7.5 win total at most sportsbooks.
• The Buccaneers have the 21st-highest odds to win the Super Bowl at +5500 on most sportsbooks, second best in the division.
• Irving enters his first season at 22 years old. According to our aging curve research, the average RB with Irving’s draft capital and profile produces at 98% of his peak value at age-22.
• Rachaad White is the clear favorite to lead Bucs RBs in carries this season. But there’s room for Irving to steal some touches considering how inefficient White was last season. Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries last year, he ranked:
  • 44th in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
  • 28th in PFF’s Elusive Rating
  • 46th in NFL Next Gen Stats’ Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt