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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have relied on the run game over the course of their history. When they have success as an offense, the running game is usually behind it. From Warrick Dunn to Cadillac Williams to now Bucky Irving, all of them have been pivotal to the team's success.
Now, in 2026, the latter, back in Irving, is being paired with a new free agent signing of Kenneth Gainwell. The pair now is getting praise from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton as he ranks the top 10 running back duos around the league. For the Bucs, they came in at the 10 spot in those rankings heading into the 2026 season.
Moton writes, "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tandem cracks the top 10 because of Bucky Irving's 1,100-plus-yard rushing season in 2024 and Kenneth Gainwell's 2025 standout pass-catching year in which he led the Pittsburgh Steelers with 73 receptions. Irving and Gainwell are smaller running backs, so they may cede short-yardage touches to Sean Tucker, who scored seven rushing touchdowns (six from within nine yards of the goal line) last year. Nonetheless, Irving and Gainwell can produce big gains. The former averaged 5.4 yards per carry in his rookie term, and the latter averaged 4.7 yards per rush attempt last season."
The Gainwell dynamic is going to be interesting with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Irving has shown flashes of being able to be a pass catcher, but Gainwell is essentially a slot receiver out of the backfield, which should help Baker Mayfield and company out.
This duo has a strong chance to outshine some of the ones ranked above it.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs running back duo comes in at No.10 in rankings
Continue reading...
Now, in 2026, the latter, back in Irving, is being paired with a new free agent signing of Kenneth Gainwell. The pair now is getting praise from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton as he ranks the top 10 running back duos around the league. For the Bucs, they came in at the 10 spot in those rankings heading into the 2026 season.
Moton writes, "The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tandem cracks the top 10 because of Bucky Irving's 1,100-plus-yard rushing season in 2024 and Kenneth Gainwell's 2025 standout pass-catching year in which he led the Pittsburgh Steelers with 73 receptions. Irving and Gainwell are smaller running backs, so they may cede short-yardage touches to Sean Tucker, who scored seven rushing touchdowns (six from within nine yards of the goal line) last year. Nonetheless, Irving and Gainwell can produce big gains. The former averaged 5.4 yards per carry in his rookie term, and the latter averaged 4.7 yards per rush attempt last season."
The Gainwell dynamic is going to be interesting with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Irving has shown flashes of being able to be a pass catcher, but Gainwell is essentially a slot receiver out of the backfield, which should help Baker Mayfield and company out.
This duo has a strong chance to outshine some of the ones ranked above it.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs running back duo comes in at No.10 in rankings
Continue reading...
