Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or Kaleb Johnson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Bucky Irving News

Bucky Irving Could See Reduced Workload in 2026 and Beyond

Monday, March 30, 11:59 AM

After a breakout rookie season in which he totaled over 1,500 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving recorded an underwhelming follow-up campaign in 2025. The 23-year-old recorded 865 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 203 touches, and missed seven games due to foot and shoulder injuries. In the offseason, Tampa Bay signed veteran back Kenneth Gainwell to a two-year, $14 million contract. Gainwell recorded 73 receptions for 486 yards on 85 targets as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, so he figures to take some work away from Irving in the Buccaneers' passing game at the very least. After Irving's injury-plagued 2025, Tampa Bay could be prioritizing keeping him healthy throughout the season by limiting his touches on a game-to-game basis. Irving still carries significant fantasy upside in dynasty formats, but he profiles more as an RB2 than a sure-fire RB1 heading into 2026.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kaleb Johnson News

Kaleb Johnson a Cut Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?

Friday, March 13, 8:01 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson had an incredibly disheartening rookie season in 2025, tallying just 69 rushing yards and nine receiving yards. He was a healthy scratch seven times, and he didn't register a single return on special teams after Week 2. The Iowa product quickly became a non-factor on the Steelers' roster, which was somewhat surprising since the team drafted him in the third round of last year's draft. Johnson's outlook with the Steelers could be dissipating as quickly as it was ignited. Between his subpar 2025 season and the arrival of a new coaching staff that has no pre-existing ties to him, Johnson seems like he could be the odd man out in Pittsburgh's backfield next year. The Steelers signed Rico Dowdle to pair with Jaylen Warren, so at best, Johnson will be the team's No. 3 running back. It's only been a year, but he's already droppable in most dynasty leagues.


Bucky Irving vs. Kaleb Johnson

Still trying to decide between Irving and Johnson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Bucky Irving is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Kaleb Johnson is projected to score 0.0 points.