Fantasy Football Player Notes

Emeka Egbuka could crush his mid WR2 draft cost this season. Egbuka faded after Week 5 last year after he sustained a hamstring injury, and Baker Mayfield's injury severely impacted his ability to feed catchable targets to the receiving options in Tampa Bay. In Weeks 1-5, Egbuka was the WR3 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 22.1% target share with 89 receiving yards per game, 2.71 yards per route run, a 26.1% first-read share, and 0.104 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Had Egbuka kept up that pace all season, he would have ranked 19th in target share, third in receiving yards per game, fourth in yards per route run, 26th in first-read share, and 20th in first downs per route run. Sadly, he didn't keep up that pace. In Weeks 6-18, despite still drawing a 23.1% target share with a 28.9% first-read share, Egbuka had only 41.1 receiving yards per game, 1.50 yards per route run, and 0.052 first downs per route run as the WR55 in fantasy points per game. If Egbuka had closed the season with the flurry of production instead of the other way around, fantasy gamers would be foaming at the mouth to draft him this season. Consider me a rabid drafter hellbent upon drafting as much Egbuka as possible this season. Entering his second season with Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan as his primary competition for targets, Egbuka can establish himself as the team's clear WR1 and return WR1/2 production.

Bucky Irving has dealt with a number of injuries in his short career with a foot sprain and a shoulder/ AC joint sprain last year. Rewinding to 2024, he also dealt with hip, back, toe, and hamstring issues. When he was on the field last year, he averaged 20.3 touches and 86.5 total yards as the RB17 in fantasy points per game. His efficiency suffered massively from the injuries last year after being a wonderous per-touch monster in 2024. Last year, among 49 qualifying backs, he was 43rd in explosive run rate, 35th in missed tackle rate, and 46th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Those dips are explainable, but they are still concerning for a back that is on the smaller side and has been banged up quite often over the last two seasons. Yes, Rachaad White is gone, but Irving will still have to contend with Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker this season on early downs and in the passing game. Irving could be a nice bounce-back candidate in 2026 or a massive disappointment that loses work to Gainwell and Tucker all year. I'll buy the dip if he slips in some drafts, but I won't go out of my way to draft him this season.

Last year, Chris Godwin had a slow ramp-up in 2025, coming off a horrific ankle fracture in 2024. After coming back in Week 5, he had a fibula injury that delayed his return to a full-time role until Week 13. Once he was back, in Weeks 13-18, he had a 16.8% target share, 49.8 receiving yards per game, 1.88 yards per route run, a 21.2% first-read share, and 0.107 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). The yards per route run and first downs per route run in that stretch loudly state that Chris Godwin isn't washed or over the hill, as he was also the WR32 in fantasy points per game. Godwin is a nice late-round receiver who could easily outkick his ADP if Baker Mayfield can stay health in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell was an integral part of the Pittsburgh backfield last year for the entire season, but he really hit his stride in Weeks 11-18 as the RB7 in fantasy points per game with 13.3 touches and 85 total yards per game. His passing game was robust during this stretch as he was third in target share (17.5%), second in receiving yards per game (45.4), fourth in yards per route run (2.10), and first in first downs per route run (0.116, per Fantasy Points Data). That also isn't to say that he wasn't also fantastic on early downs, ranking 14th in explosive run rate and missed tackle rate overall for the season among backs. Gainwell will play a prominent role for his new team (Tampa Bay) this season as a complement to Bucky Irving. Irving has had a substantial list of injuries that he has dealt with during his short career, so I wouldn't be surprised if Gainwell is leading the backfield some weeks in 2026 with a solid standalone role when Irving is active. Gainwell could easily return RB2 value in 2026 if everything falls in his favor. He definitely carries more fantasy appeal in PPR formats, though.

Baker Mayfield had a tough fall from grace in 2025 as the QB17 in fantasy points per game after a wondrous QB4 campaign in 2024. Mayfield dealt with injuries to his receiver room and his offensive line while also struggling with injuries himself. In 2025, Mayfield had a bruised and battered throwing arm while also suffering a sprained MCL/PCL, a bicep tendon strain, and left shoulder issues. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, he was 24th in yards per attempt, 35th in adjusted completion rate, 22nd in catchable target rate, and 11th-worst in turnover-worthy throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Assuming Mayfield sees better health in 2026, he should enjoy a bounce-back season. Yes, Mike Evans is gone, but Mayfield still has a deep cupboard of skilled receivers to toss to this season. His rushing production over the last two seasons (at least 378 rushing yards each year) has also been a nice bump to his fantasy ceiling and floor. I don't expect that to go away. Mayfield could easily be a top 12 fantasy quarterback in 2026 that you're drafting as a mid-range QB2.

Jalen McMillan's 2025 season was essentially wiped out by injury, but the flashes he showed in limited action — and previously as a rookie — remain intriguing. The former Washington product continued to post strong efficiency metrics when healthy, highlighted by a huge Week 17 performance and over 2.0 yards per route run in a small sample. The issue has never really been talent; it has been availability. McMillan remains an upside stash in deeper formats, but fantasy managers need to factor in the growing injury concerns entering Year 3.

Cade Otton has had 59 receptions in each of the last two seasons. He finished with 572 receiving yards and one touchdown last year, leading to a TE25 fantasy finish. Otton has had spurts of serious fantasy value in the past, usually when one or more of the Bucs' top pass catchers were hurt. When Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both went down with significant injuries in Week 7 of 2024, Otton had 30 catches for 293 yards and three touchdowns over a four game stretch. In Otton's other 10 games that season, he had 29 catches for 307 yards and one touchdown. With Evans now in San Francisco, perhaps Otton will play a bigger role in the Tampa Bay offense this year. But Otton profiles as no more than a high-end TE3 and isn't draftable in most fantasy leagues.

The Buccaneers' Chase McLaughlin ranked seventh in kicker scoring last year after ranking sixth in 2025. McLaughlin made 32-of-38 FG tries last year, an 84.2 conversion rate, but he had converted at 93.5% and 93.8% in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The 30-year-old McLaughlin has hit 119-of-122 extra points over the last three years. Some fantasy managers might appreciate having a warm-weather kicker whose home games are in Florida and whose only potential cold-weather games are Week 9 in Chicago and Week 14 in Baltimore.

Ted Hurst is making waves in training camp. He could push for a starting job quicker than many anticipate if he can push Jalen McMillan aside. His play strength is surprising for his frame. He doesn't get pushed off routes and fits through contact well. Hurst has immediate and fluid speed with easy change of direction. He loses little speed when subtly changing directions mid-route. Hurst has a nice home run gear in the open field. He's a refined route runner with a varied release package. Hurst can invite indecision in cornerbacks' heads as he sets them up and dances in their blind spot. He sells the vertical push well and has solid hip sink and deceleration skills for a player his size. Hurst can play above the rim with good adjustment to back shoulder throws and nice body control in the air. He displays a large catch radius and late hands. I know he attended a smaller school in college, but the talent is real. He was 24th in missed tackles among all FBS/FCS wide receivers (minimum 50 targets, per PFF) in his final season, while overall posting an 84th percentile collegiate target share and 67th percentile collegiate dominator. Take a flier on Hurst in the final round of your drafts this season.