Size-adjusted athleticism is generally an important variable when evaluating NFL running back prospects, so despite excellent production in college it was a major strike to Irving's draft stock when he logged poor workout numbers last spring at just 192 pounds (4.55-second 40, 29.5-inch vertical, 115-inch broad jump). There are exceptions to every rule, though, and while other running backs might have failed with his athletic profile, there's something unique about Irving that allows him to transcend the otherwise concerning indicators in his testing. His strong skill set was always clear at the collegiate level, where he stood out for both Minnesota and Oregon before the Buccaneers made him a fourth-round pick last spring. The main limitation with Irving pertains to his usage upside rather than his per-touch effectiveness. Playing at 192 pounds hasn't deprived Irving of the power necessary to thrive between the tackles, but it remains to be seen whether he can physically hold up as a workhorse. Irving went over 20 carries in a game just twice in college, so it might be asking a lot for him to maintain the rushing workload he shouldered in his final six healthy games of 2024 (18.8 carries per game).
