Bucky Irving vs Patrick Mahomes

“If Bucky Irving struggles to stay healthy for the second consecutive season, Gainwell could have a career year”

“100 | (RB35) To be clear, Bucky Irving isn’t fading away despite a down season last year”

“It’s odd that so many people are forgetting just how good Irving was over a fairly large sample size of games over the second half of his rookie season. Buy the dip.”

“8 | Diff: +3 Over the last two seasons, with Bucky Irving in town, Rachaad White was a more effective per-touch player, but with Irving out of the lineup last year, he proved again that he can carry the mail (although while being horribly inefficient).”

“Bucky Irving ‘s rookie season was as impressive as they come, considering his draft capital (125th overall).”

“Bucky Irving was the only top-12 drafted RB to miss more than two games.”

“Bucky Irving finished as the RB13 his rookie year before slumping to an RB 34 playing 10 games the following season. More concerning than the games missed is his carries inside the 5-yard line in 2025: zero.”

“Bucky Irving checks all the boxes when it comes to identifying a true “buy low” player.”

“After finishing his rookie season as the RB13, averaging 14.4 PPR fantasy points per game, Bucky Irving regressed last year and struggled to stay healthy, missing seven contests. Furthermore, Irving had offseason shoulder surgery and might not be fully ready for training camp.”

“Irving finished dead last in that metric among qualifying running backs last season, which sounds damning, but he ranked sixth in the same metric in 2024. The difference is the offensive line: Tampa Bay’s line ranked second in adjusted line yards during Irving’s rookie season and collapsed to 22nd last year due to injuries.”

“Even before the injury that sidelined him, Irving averaged just 3.3 yards per carry while ranking 32nd in explosive yards, 45th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 33rd in runs for first downs at his position. With Tampa Bay deploying a full rotation of backs, it feels extremely hard to replicate.”

“You can't deny the value Bucky Irving provided us in 2024. He played all 17 games and finished as the RB13 in PPR scoring after entering the season as the RB52 in expert consensus rankings (ECR). Irving was electric, averaging 5.4 yards per carry while ranking fifth in explosive yards and fifth in missed tackles forced.”

“Gives ample time for Patrick Mahomes to be brought up to speed (also has a bye in Week 5) and for the defense to prove it’s worth.”

“Patrick Mahomes | QB, Kansas City Chiefs Way back when Patrick Mahomes was a rookie in 2017, he started just one game.”

“Patrick Mahomes ‘ fantasy appeal has diminished in recent years, and now the nine-year veteran is trying to recover from a major knee injury. Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee late in the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Chargers in mid-December. Reports say he has been rehabbing aggressively in hopes of starting the Chiefs’ Monday-night season opener against the Broncos on Sept. 14, which comes three days before his 31st birthday.”

“The Chiefs did add Kenneth Walker III , which will impact the passing attack, and Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, but if Rice is on the field, he’ll have a target share of at least 25% and has top-five wide receiver upside”

“Furthermore, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy have dealt with injuries in their careers, putting Allen one injury away from a starting role in a Patrick Mahomes-led offense”

“Fantasy Football Research & Advice Fantasy Football Expert Rankings 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer Late-Round Stacks for Redraft Fantasy Football Leagues Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes – ADP: 103.8 | QB14 Xavier Worthy – ADP: 128.3 | WR50 Cyrus Allen – ADP: 279.3 | WR104 Travis Kelce – ADP: 103.6 | TE10 Mahomes is on pace to play in Week 1, which makes him a steal at his ADP despite coming off a knee injury”

“Josh Allen , Patrick Mahomes , Brock Purdy , Dak Prescott , and Jared Goff were the only quarterbacks selected as top-12 players who were also top 12 in points per game.”

“Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) Patrick Mahomes is returning from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season, and is ahead of schedule.”

“Despite suffering a significant knee injury at the end of last year, Patrick Mahomes is on pace to play in Week 1. Last season, the superstar was quietly one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football despite never having a healthy receiving corps.”

“Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) | ADP: QB13 Do I even need to explain myself here? Yes, the Chiefs’ offense hasn’t been as dominant in recent years, and yes, Patrick Mahomes himself is coming off a season-ending ACL injury. But we’re still talking about one of the greatest fantasy football quarterbacks of all time.”

“We can’t entirely fade Mahomes, but be ready to pivot away from him and his lack of upside.”

“Coming off a torn ACL, Patrick Mahomes is expected to be back in the lineup at the start of the season, so you'll need to find a Week 5 replacement.”