We are proud to be among the first, if not the first, to publish full projections for the upcoming season, going live just days after the Super Bowl. Publishing detailed projections in early February comes with trade-offs, not the least of which is a near-total lack of clarity on how free agency, cap transactions, and the NFL draft will reshape rosters.
We've been updating our projections in near real time, including during the recent onslaught of free-agent transactions. This version will remain largely stable until we can layer in the April NFL draft, but stable projections don't mean settled debates.
We have a staff of sharp analysts with sharp takes of their own, so I thought it would be worthwhile to solicit their views on the key coin-toss situations that will shape each team's outlook in the coming months. These are important questions where reasonable, informed people can credibly land in very different places. I asked my colleagues to weigh in with one assumption: they were answering strictly through the lens of a standard 0.5-PPR redraft league.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coin-Toss Questions
- Can Zac Robinson Lift the Buccaneers' Fantasy Outlook?
- Is Mayfield a High-End QB2 or a One-Year Wonder?
- Will Gainwell Push Irving Off the Fantasy RB1 Map?
- How Do You Rank the Buccaneers Receivers?
Rachaad White is gone, but Kenneth Gainwell is in. Where does that leave Bucky Irving?
Maurile Tremblay: It leaves Irving as the clear lead back, but not a true every-down workhorse. Gainwell is the passing-down replacement for White, so Irving should still handle the bulk of the carries and remain the featured runner. Gainwell likely siphons off some receiving and third-down work, which lowers Irving's total-volume ceiling a bit, but it also keeps Irving in the role that best suits him. Overall, this looks favorable for Irving — lead back status with more efficient usage rather than a full bell-cow workload.
Andy Hicks: As the lead back, Irving still holds the edge. Gainwell and White look largely interchangeable — both are strong receivers who can handle carries, but neither profiles as a true full-time option. Irving, however, does have that lead-back skill set, even if his 2025 campaign was a major step back from his rookie year. Getting him back on track should be a priority for the offense. Gainwell provides a solid safety net, while Sean Tucker remains a capable depth option. Ultimately, Irving shapes as a high-risk, high-reward RB1 candidate, with a draft price that should reflect the uncertainty.
Jeff Haseley: Kenneth Gainwell will be involved in 2026. I expect a 60–40 split with Bucky Irving. Gainwell had 500-plus rushing yards and 450-plus receiving yards in 2025, which makes him a versatile commodity. He'll see plenty of looks, which could limit Irving's overall production.
