Analyst Names New Bucs' Back As A Fantasy Football Sleeper
With Bucky Irving returning from injury, dual-threat weapon Kenneth Gainwell emerges as a 1B powerhouse poised to dominate goal-line touches and receiving reps in Tampa Bay's offense.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have a loaded backfield in 2026.Running back Bucky Irving, who missed significant time last season due to foot and shoulder injuries, is expected to be back to full strength in time for training camp. Tampa general manager Jason Licht said a little over a week ago that Irving could be healthy enough to play in a real game "in a couple of weeks."
Irving is hoping to put his injury-riddled 2025 season in the past, and return to being the explosive back he was as a rookie in 2024.Joining him in Tampa's backfield is free agent signing Kenneth Gainwell, who is coming to the Bucs after a career season with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.Gainwell is much more than just a number two running back.
He is an explosive runner, like Irving, but is also one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. Even in a complimentary role, Gainwell can still put up big numbers for Tampa.Ross Kelly of CBS Sports, using a Sportsline formula that simulates the upcoming season 10,000 times, has released a list of fantasy football breakout candidates, sleepers, and busts for the upcoming season.
That formula has the new Bucs' RB as one of fantasy football's top sleepers for 2026.Much More Than A BackupKelly notes that Gainwell will be much more than just a backup to Irving. Head coach Todd Bowles has previously called Gainwell a 1B to Irving's 1A.
In his lone season in Pittsburgh, Gainwell totaled a career high 1,023 yards from scrimmage, and eight touchdowns, all while being part of a tandem with the Steelers' other RB, Jaylen Warren.Gainwell provided 73 receptions last year and is now coming to a Tampa team that loves throwing the ball to its running backs. Rachaad White, who Gainwell is replacing with the Bucs, has the third-most catches from a running back in the NFL since 2022.
Kelly also points out that Gainwell's six touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line last season equaled the number of carries Irving had from inside the 10.The new Buc is also much more than
Đọc thêm từ Thể thao
🤔 Messi-Ronaldo classic ruined by Portugal draw
Portugal's draw with Colombia on Saturday means a destined quarterfinal matchup between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is off until at least the final.
Algeria and Austria's dramatic draw sends Iran out...
Austria and Algeria played to a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday night in what amounted to a win-win result in their World Cup group-stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament.
Ennis drops Zayas 3 times in dazzling title victor...
Jaron "Boots" Ennis scored an emphatic victory over Xander Zayas on Saturday night, stopping him in the seventh round to become the new WBO and WBA junior middleweight champion.
Messi nets again, Argentina earn third WC win
Lionel Messi came off the bench in Argentina's group stage finale against Jordan in the World Cup to score the third goal in a 3-1 victory for the reigning champions.