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Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan Has Been 'Slightly Better' Than Teammate During OTAs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan looked "slightly better" than teammate Emeka Egbuka during OTAs this past week, according to Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com. Fantasy managers shouldn't invest too much stock into one week of practices, as it's not uncommon for different players to exceed expectations from time to time. With that being said, McMillan's improvements could be something worth monitoring going forward. McMillan is entering his third year with the Bucs, and if he continues to put together a strong summer, he'll be in the mix for a prominent fantasy football role. It's also worth noting that this report should only be viewed as an encouraging sign for McMillan, and not a slight toward Egbuka. Reynolds made it clear that Egbuka had a very strong week, too. All in all, it sounds like the Bucs' top three receivers -- Egbuka, McMillan, and Chris Godwin Jr. -- are all trending in the right direction as they look to provide more support to quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2026. McMillan could be a steal at his current ADP of 173 (WR62).

20 hours ago

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Is Sean Tucker an Undervalued Dynasty Trade Target?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker led the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2025, and he could see meaningful goal-line work once more in his fourth professional season. Presumed starter Bucky Irving is still recovering from the shoulder injury that cost him seven games and impacted his efficiency in 2025. Irving returned to the field in Week 12, still clearly hampered by the injury, and Tucker handled almost 90% of the Buccaneers' carries from within the five-yard line from that point forward. Irving's recovery timeline has been vague, but if the team opts to keep him fresh by limiting him to mostly between-the-20s work, Tucker would be the most likely benefactor over the 5'9", 200-pound Kenneth Gainwell. Tucker went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft due to a congenital heart condition, but whenever he's seen the field, he's looked the part of an NFL running back, and at RotoBaller's dynasty RB75, he represents overlooked value if he's able to hold onto the dedicated goal-line role in what should again be a high-scoring Buccaneers offense.

Yesterday

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan to Play All Three Receiver Positions?

For the first time since 2013, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to play a season without six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, but local media member Scott Reynolds believes the adjustment could go just fine, in part due to the versatility of third-year professional Jalen McMillan. McMillan was a fantasy league-winner down the stretch of his 2024 rookie season, and while a scary preseason neck injury limited him to only four games in 2025, he again topped 100 receiving yards in Week 17. Reynolds believes his ability to play all three receiver spots could lead to similar results across his 2026 campaign. With Zac Robinson arriving from the Falcons as the new offensive coordinator, Tampa will likely see fewer three-receiver sets after deploying 11-personnel at the league's second-highest rate in 2025, and with Emeka Egbuka unlikely to leave the field with any regularity in his second season, a potential rotation between McMillan, Chris Godwin Jr., and 2026 third-round pick Ted Hurst could make those 100-yard performances difficult to predict. As such, McMillan projects as a more useful piece in best ball formats, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR71, there is still potential to land him well below his actual value with an opportunity for him to see a larger-than-expected workload.

Yesterday

Cade Otton • TE • Buccaneers

Cade Otton Continues to Offer Depth in Dynasty Leagues

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton is not a flashy name in fantasy football, but his consistency and starting role have allowed him to stay on the fantasy radar as a decent depth piece. Otton has caught 59 passes in each of his last two seasons, operating as the No. 1 tight end in this Baker Mayfield-led offense. His touchdown total dropped to one last year, and as a result, his fantasy finish slipped to TE22 overall. Still, he has been a top-26 fantasy tight end in each of his five NFL seasons, and he offers low-end TE1 appeal when the Bucs' receivers miss time due to injury. For example, in the four games where both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. were injured last year, Otton averaged 5.0 catches and 50.3 receiving yards. Evans departed in free agency this year, but the Bucs still have a crowded receiver room, so we can't project Otton for a top-20 finish. Still, he's an extremely solid depth option in all fantasy leagues, including dynasty formats.

4 days ago

Tez Johnson • WR • Buccaneers

No Clear Path to Fantasy Relevance for Tez Johnson in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson has produced when given the opportunity, but he could face an uphill battle to earn playing time going forward. The Bucs have control of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan through at least 2027, leaving Johnson in the No. 4 role (at best) for several years to come. There were times in the past when the Buccaneers supported three fantasy-relevant receivers at once, but the passing offense took a step backward last year, so we're not as bullish about the unit's upside going forward. That continues to leave Johnson in more of a depth role, where his outlook is dependent on both the state of the offense and injuries to his teammates. As it stands, Johnson ranks as the WR105 in RotoBalller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

4 days ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving is Expected to be Ready for Training Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) continues to recover from offseason surgery but is not expected to face many limitations during training camp. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the lead running back is not expected to participate in the upcoming min-camp but will "likely" be ready for training camp at some point. While this report does not suggest the former Oregon standout will enter camp with a clean bill of health, he is trending in the right direction. Last season, Irving had a disappointing sophomore season, appearing in just 10 games, and saw his production decline sharply after suffering this injury. Over his last six contests, he averaged a mere 11.2 PPR points per game, a stark decline from the 18.5 PPR points per game he averaged from Weeks 1 through 4. Managers should continue to monitor his status over the summer, but he should be at full strength come the start of the season. If his workload were to be limited, newly signed Kenneth Gainwell will likely take on RB1 duties.

4 days ago

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Expected Back in the Summer or Fall

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is recovering well and is expected back sometime during the summer or fall, according to Pewter Report. Bowles also noted that Irving was working on the side on Tuesday with a trainer during the team's offseason program. The 23-year-old is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and it sounds like his availability for training camp and the preseason is a bit up in the air at the moment. It will allow both Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker more reps during offseason workouts. Even if Irving is fully cleared for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September, it's notable that he's going to miss pretty much the entire offseason program while the Bucs are implementing a new scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024 in his first year in the league and added eight rushing touchdowns, but he played in only 10 games last year due to injury and is a durability concern as an RB2 target in 2026 fantasy leagues. If Irving were to miss more time this year, Sean Tucker could be Tampa's early-down back, with Gainwell operating primarily as a pass-catcher.

5 days ago

Baker Mayfield • QB • Buccaneers

A Lot of Uncertainty Surrounding Baker Mayfield Going into Fourth Year in Tampa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is as gutsy as they come on the football field, and he had back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024 in his first two years with the organization. However, he went from being the QB4 in fantasy in 2024 to the QB12 last year after finishing with 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. The 31-year-old signal-caller is as tough as they come, but injuries have to be a concern because of the way he plays and always grinds for the extra yard. The biggest knock on Mayfield's dynasty stock in the future is the loss of future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, who departed in free agency. Mayfield will also be learning a new scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. There's hope that Robinson can unlock the version of Mayfield from 2023 and 2024, but with Evans gone, Mayfield won't be as attractive as a QB1 streamer in single-year fantasy football leagues. In dynasty, it feels like Mayfield's best years are probably behind him, and he has dropped in RotoBaller's rankings to QB19, one spot behind the Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud. In superflex leagues, Mayfield can still be a serviceable No. 2, but we wouldn't want to be relying on the aging QB as a No. 1 in a new offensive scheme without his most reliable weapon from years past.

May 23

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) should be ready for training camp, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Irving is coming off an injury-marred season in 2025, as he missed seven games due to shoulder and foot ailments. The 23-year-old's efficiency cratered when he was on the field as well, as he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in 2025, down from 5.4 yards per carry in 2024. Tampa Bay made a big addition to its running back room in free agency, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year contract. While Gainwell will surely play a significant role, Stroud reports that Irving is still expected to open training camp as the Buccaneers' RB1. Irving's fantasy upside remains sky-high as he enters his third NFL season, but his injury history and Gainwell's presence in Tampa add some risk to Irving's profile.

May 17

Chris Godwin Jr. • WR • Buccaneers

Can Chris Godwin Jr. Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in 2026?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has struggled to stay on the field since suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Continued lower leg injuries caused him to miss eight games in 2025, and he finished the year with just 33 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. On the bright side, Godwin Jr. should finally be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season. He also could be the number one target in Tampa Bay following the departure of longtime Bucs wideout Mike Evans in free agency. However, Tampa Bay has several promising young wide receivers in Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, and 2026 third-rounder Ted Hurst. Given Godwin Jr.'s injury history, his dynasty value is uncertain as he heads into his age-30 season.

May 14

Ted Hurst • WR • Buccaneers

Ted Hurst Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Tampa Bay

After racking up nearly 2,000 receiving yards over his final two collegiate seasons at Georgia State, wide receiver Ted Hurst was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurst is thought of as a true X receiver, which could make him the long-term replacement for former Bucs wideout Mike Evans. However, Hurst's immediate path to playing time could be blocked off in Tampa Bay. Entering training camp, Buccaneers wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson could all be ahead of Hurst on the team's depth chart. If there's a positive for fantasy managers to take away from Hurst landing in Tampa Bay, it's that the organization has done an excellent job of developing young receivers in recent seasons. Hurst carries some upside in dynasty leagues, but dynasty managers should temper their expectations for his 2026 production following the NFL Draft.

May 13

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Not Yet Cleared to Participate in OTAs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) has not yet been cleared to participate in OTAs and may not see the practice field until training camp as he recovers from shoulder surgery, according to Pewter Report. Irving battled both shoulder and foot injuries during the 2025 season, which caused him to miss seven games. While the 23-year-old finished the year on the field for Tampa Bay, he underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason that is now apparently delaying his availability for the team's offseason program. While it does not appear that Irving is in danger of missing time to begin 2026, it's still a slight cause for concern for fantasy managers that his injury issues from 2025 are not fully behind him. After averaging 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie in 2024, Irving managed just 3.4 yards per carry while battling injuries in 2025. Tampa Bay also signed running back Kenneth Gainwell to a sizable two-year deal in free agency, which could be an indication that the team is not fully confident in Irving's health status. Fantasy managers should closely monitor updates on Irving between now and the start of training camp.

May 12

Ted Hurst • WR • Buccaneers

Ted Hurst Viewed as "True X" Receiver Going into Rookie Campaign

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that rookie third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst is a "true X" receiver, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Robinson also said there are "so many things" that he likes about Hurst, who has an exciting skill set and great instincts. The 21-year-old product of Georgia State only played two seasons in college, but he has the size (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) to make noise at the next level in an offense that lost future Hall of Famer Mike Evans in free agency. In his two seasons at Georgia State, Hurst caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will primarily be competing with Jalen McMillan for the WR3 role in 2026 behind Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, but his physical attributes make him a bit more intriguing long-term than McMillan. RotoBaller has Hurst ranked as the No. 73 dynasty pass-catcher, two spots below McMillan.

May 12

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers |

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Zac Robinson Thinks Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell Have Similar Skill Sets

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell "can match each other" in terms of their similar skill sets out of the backfield, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. The Bucs let Rachaad White walk in free agency this offseason, but they added Gainwell to their RB room after the 27-year-old broke out with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 with 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns, adding 73 receptions (85 targets) for 486 yards and three more TDs as a pass-catcher in 17 regular-season games. Irving only played in 10 games in his second NFL season due to injuries, but the 23-year-old was efficient as a pass-catcher as well, recording 277 yards and three TDs on his 30 receptions. As long as he stays on the field, Irving is expected to be utilized as Tampa's lead back in 2026, with Gainwell serving in the third-down, pass-catching role. Both will be fantasy relevant, with Irving ranking as RotoBaller's No. 16 dynasty RB, and Gainwell checking in as the No. 45 RB. In PPR leagues, Gainwell will be much more expensive after ranking fifth among RBs in catches.

May 12

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka to Settle into "Z" Role in Year 2

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will settle into the "Z" role primarily on the outside in 2026 after playing multiple spots as a rookie in 2025, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Egbuka, the 19th overall pick in 2025 out of Ohio State, bounced around inside and outside in his first year in the NFL due to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. The 23-year-old now figures to mostly play outside this year, though, with Evans now in San Francisco. Third-round rookie Ted Hurst is more of a "true X" wideout, which will allow the Bucs to use Egbuka on the outside more, with Godwin in the slot. The 23-year-old Egbuka was a best in his first five NFL games, catching 25 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns, but he caught just one more TD the rest of the way and dealt with a hamstring injury to finish his rookie campaign with a 63-938-6 line in 17 games (13 starts). With Evans now gone, Egbuka will have an opportunity to rise as Tampa's WR1 in 2026 and beyond, making him a top-12 dynasty receiver.

May 12

Jalen McMillan • WR • Buccaneers

Jalen McMillan has a Path to Bigger Role, But There Will be Target Competition

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan played in only four games in his sophomore season in 2025 due to a serious neck injury that he suffered in the preseason. In those four contests, the 24-year-old showed flashes of long-term upside with 12 catches for 178 yards, although he failed to find the end zone. In his first NFL campaign in 2024 after the Bucs took him in the third round out of the University of Washington, McMillan had a 37-461-8 line on 58 targets across 13 games (12 starts). Veteran Mike Evans is out of town now, but McMillan will still have to work for targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield in a WR corps that features Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, and rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst. The 24-year-old will seemingly compete with Hurst for the WR3 role behind Godwin and Egbuka in a scheme run by new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. McMillan is already established with two years in the NFL, but Hurst has better physical skills and a higher long-term ceiling. RotoBaller has McMillan currently ranked as the No. 71 dynasty WR.

May 11

Sean Tucker • RB • Buccaneers

Sean Tucker's Dynasty Upside Remains Limited by Crowded Backfield Picture

Across 17 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker logged 354 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 94 touches. Tucker has flashed upside over the first three seasons of his career with Tampa Bay, including a three-touchdown performance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 of 2025. However, Tucker has consistently found himself buried on the Buccaneers' running back depth chart and has never been able to carve out a consistent, every-week role in the team's offense. A similar dynamic seems likely to be at play in 2026, as Tampa Bay added veteran back Kenneth Gainwell in free agency to complement RB1 Bucky Irving. Tucker could have a chance to emerge should either Irving or Gainwell suffer an injury, which gives him some deep-league value. Still, Tucker's dynasty value would likely benefit from a change in scenery as he enters his age-25 season in 2026.

May 10

Bucky Irving • RB • Buccaneers

Bucky Irving Potentially Undervalued After Disappointing Sophomore Season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving was unable to recapture the rookie season magic that made him fantasy's RB14 in 2024. Missing seven games in 2025 with foot and shoulder injuries, Irving was absent for much of Tampa's early-season success, returning to a unit that looked largely out of sorts to finish the year, resulting in the firing of first-year offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. While Irving's touchdown totals were way down from 2024, his 86.5 yards from scrimmage per game still had him on a 17-game pace of 1,470 yards and almost seven scores. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson arrived from Atlanta with a stated goal of involving Irving in the passing game, as he had Bijan Robinson, and while the free agent acquisition of Kenneth Gainwell is likely to take a solid chunk of receiving work off his plate, Irving is potentially being slept on as RotoBaller's dynasty RB16 and falling. With the Buccaneers' offensive line expected to be healthier in 2026, his per carry average could look closer to the 5.4 yards from his rookie campaign than the 3.4 yard clip of 2025, and with Gainwell only once handling more than 85 carries in his five-year career, Irving should see enough total volume to put him back into the dynasty RB1 conversation.

May 10

Emeka Egbuka • WR • Buccaneers

The Pendulum Swinging Back on Emeka Egbuka's Dynasty Value

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had one of the best starts to a career the league has ever seen. Through the first five weeks of his 2025 rookie campaign, Egbuka caught 25 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns and saw his consensus dynasty value rise all the way to WR8, becoming one of the most sought-after players in the game. A second-half collapse saw the Buccaneers fall out of playoff contention, and no player took a bigger hit than Egbuka, seemingly unable to connect with quarterback Baker Mayfield down the stretch. Dynasty managers who bought high watched his value crumble, but with veteran receiver Mike Evans moving on to San Francisco and the team replacing first-year offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard with McVay disciple Zac Robinson, Egbuka has been widely viewed as an offseason winner, as reflected by his rising dynasty ranking, back up to RotoBaller's WR10. Still part of a crowded group of pass catchers, it's unlikely he will return to his early rookie season peak, but the 23-year-old Egbuka can still be a building-block piece for any dynasty roster, and the week-winning ceiling he's already displayed will help him hold value moving forward.

May 10

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Buccaneers

Is Kenneth Gainwell's Dynasty Stock Still Rising After Offseason Change of Scenery?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell put together the most productive season of his career while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, recording 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games. Gainwell emerged as a security blanket for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, finishing the year with 73 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns on 85 targets. The Bucs rewarded Gainwell with a two-year contract in free agency, and he now projects as the 1B option in the Tampa Bay backfield behind Bucky Irving. Gainwell may not see as many targets from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield as he did from Rodgers, which would hurt his fantasy production. However, Gainwell should still play a role in the Tampa Bay passing game and could emerge as the team's go-to option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Irving also has to be considered an injury risk after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries in 2025. Gainwell's dynasty value would have benefited more had he signed somewhere as a clear starter, but his stock is still up following his breakout 2025 season in Pittsburgh.

May 8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

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