Who Should I Start? Rhamondre Stevenson or Bucky Irving


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
11.0 43.4 0.4 2.1 17.3 0.1

Rhamondre Stevenson News

Rhamondre Stevenson Sees First-Team Reps in Red Zone

Monday, August 17, 4:14 AM

The New England Patriots spent Sunday's walkthrough practice in T-shirts and bucket hats, but in their latest competitive session on Saturday, the team worked heavily out of the low red zone, and it was veteran Rhamondre Stevenson who led off all periods with the first-team offense. Second-year player TreVeyon Henderson, who actually led the Patriots in red zone carries as a rookie, rotated in, and both backs took carries behind fullback Reggie Gilliam. Stevenson and Henderson each scored five rushing touchdowns from within the ten-yard line in 2025, and they project to see another fairly even split, though they could both see their efficiency rise in that area of the field with Gilliam ahead of them. Stevenson is RotoBaller's RB26 and a player who should add significant value from the middle rounds of drafts with his underrated work in the receiving game and his share of high-value touches near the goal line.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
12.7 56.8 0.3 2.3 19.1 0.1

Bucky Irving News

Bucky Irving Will Play Against Chiefs on Saturday

Monday, August 17, 11:55 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that his starters, including running back Bucky Irving, will dress and play in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Irving and the rest of the starting offensive unit were held out of the preseason opener on Friday against the New York Jets. The Bucs let Rachaad White walk in free agency in March, but they added pass-catching dynamo Kenny Gainwell to their backfield to replace him. The 23-year-old Irving should continue to be Tampa's go-to option on early downs and near the goal line, but Gainwell figures to eat into valuable pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield as the team tries to keep Irving healthy after he played in just 10 games in 2025. Irving had 1,514 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games as a rookie in 2024. Because of the lack of clarity in Tampa's backfield between Irving and Gainwell in a new offensive scheme, fantasy managers should target Irving as more of a low-end RB2.


Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Bucky Irving

Still trying to decide between Stevenson and Irving? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rhamondre Stevenson is projected to score 11.0 points this week while Bucky Irving is projected to score 12.7 points.