KennyGainwell

News: 2 days agoGainwell turned three carries into minus-4 yards and added two catches (on five targets) for 14 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Vikings. He also returned six kickoffs for 160 yards and added a tackle.

Spin: Gainwell now is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry through the first three games of the regular season. He was utilized heavily as a pass catcher with the Steelers in 2025, but so far he has only six receptions (on 10 targets) for 22 yards. His 32 snaps on offense was slightly fewer than Bucky Irving (36), but the scoring floor of Gainwell and the rest of the Buccaneers' skill players will likely be lower for at least the next three weeks without Baker Mayfield (thumb) at the helm. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will be the Bucs' QB1 in Mayfield's absence, starting with a Week 4 home tilt against the Packers this Sunday.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Gainwell signed with the Buccaneers following a second-half breakout with Pittsburgh last season. After playing sparingly during the first four-and-a-half years of his career, Gainwell averaged 13.3 touches, 85.0 yards and 17.8 fantasy points from Week 8 on last season (eight games). Only five backs scored more points than Gainwell after Week 10. He did most of his damage as a receiver (top six among RBs in targets, catches and receiving yards) and will now look to earn a similar role alongside Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay. Gainwell's strong season suggests he'll have a role, but the 23-year-old Irving is likely to operate as the lead back. Gainwell is best valued as a bench/insurance stash with some flex appeal in deep PPR leagues.