Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or Bucky Irving

Saturday, February 28, 5:07 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara had his 2025 season cut short due to a knee sprain suffered during Week 12. Before his injury, Kamara was already performing below fantasy managers' expectations with just one touchdown and a career-low 3.6 yards per carry. Most notably, Kamara's targets per game dropped to an average of 3.5 compared to 6.7 and 6.4 targets in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The veteran running back also had a 19.1% missed tackle rate this season, his lowest since at least 2018. Kamara is still under contract for the 2026 season, and his cap hit is expected to rise, making him a prime candidate for restructuring. If he suits up as a Saint in 2026, Kamara profiles as a low-end RB2, buoyed mainly by name recognition, due to his drop in efficiency and decline in passing game involvement.

Monday, February 16, 2:21 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) had offseason surgery on his shoulder, according to JoeBucsFan.com. Irving missed seven straight games last year from Weeks 5 through 12 with ankle and shoulder injuries. His ankle healed before his shoulder. The good news is that Irving's recovery and rehab are not expected to significantly impact his offseason preparation. Irving had 1,122 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie in 2024, but his production dropped in Year 2 due to his injuries, as he finished with 588 rushing yards (3.4 yards per carry). The 23-year-old could have a bigger role in Tampa's backfield next season with Rachaad White not expected to return in free agency, although the Bucs will probably prioritize adding RB depth after Irving's injury issues in 2025. Irving will have bounce-back potential for fantasy managers this year, but he'll also carry injury risk as an RB2 target.