Sean Tucker's Hot Hand: A Three-Headed Monster In Tampa Bay?
Look, I don’t want to be too dramatic, but the term “hot hand” is maybe the worst thing you could possibly hear a coach say when it comes to his running backs. Unfortunately for us, that’s exactly the term Todd Bowles used earlier this week when discussing his three-headed monster of Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. All three will play on Monday Night Football, yet the trio’s usage beyond that fact is anyone’s guess.
Tucker was absolutely incredible with White (ankle) sidelined last weekend, racking up an eye-popping 192 scrimmage yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 touches. Is that in any way sustainable? Even if White were unable to play in Week 7? Obviously not. However, it’s the kind of showing that gets a formerly undrafted RB some attention within the ranks of the coaching staff. I don’t think this situation is as easy to analyze as one might assume. White might be the incumbent starter and Irving is the high upside rookie that was just taken in the fourth-round, but Tucker has certainly earned an opportunity.
Sean Tucker's Role and Snap Ceiling
All that said, it does seem like Tucker’s path to viability is extremely difficult to envision. The fact that Tucker was able register those impressive stats in Week 6 with a 37.7% snap share is wild, yet it also doesn’t bode well for his snap ceiling with White and Irving both in the fold. If anything, Tucker’s role will be less about his own viability and more about the negative impact it will have on his teammates’ viabilities.
A Difficult Matchup
Matchup is another aspect of my general hesitation to trust any of these RBs in Week 7. The Ravens’ run defense has been among the best in the league this season, surrendering the second-fewest FPTS per game to opposing backfields. In fact, Baltimore is allowing just 59.0 opponent rushing yards per contest so far in 2024. That’s not only the lowest total in the NFL, but no other unit is conceding fewer than 80.0 opponent rushing yards per game. The Ravens are in a tier all their own.
Sean Tucker was amazing last Sunday, yet you can’t chase fantasy points of the past. Even in the best case scenario, Tucker enters Monday evening in the midst of a three-man running back by committee situation. He’s also in a terrible matchup. Let go of recency bias. This is not a fantasy environment that you want to try and exploit.
The Takeaway: Don't Chase Points
The Buccaneers' offense is a bit of a mystery with all the injuries and changes happening. With the Ravens' stout run defense, it's a tough week for all three of the Bucs' running backs. So, while Tucker's previous performance was impressive, don't be lured into thinking he's a surefire fantasy starter this week. The matchup is simply too tough to justify trusting him in your lineup. Stick to more reliable options in your fantasy football lineup this week and don't chase points from last week’s performance.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
