Interesting Advanced Data On Kenneth Gainwell
March 17th, 2026
Successful.
Joe thinks it is fair to suggest that new Bucs running back Kenneth Gainwell is a successful runner.
Looking up some running numbers, Joe stumbled upon a pretty neat stat. A good one.
It seems last year, Gainwell was No. 10 in the NFL in percentage of successful runs. Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, a successful run is when a running back gains at least 40 percent of yards needed for a conversion on first down, at least 60 percent of yards needed for a conversion on second down and 100 percent of yards needed to move the chains on third and fourth downs.
Gainwell had a successful run on 55.5 percent of his carries.
That’s a nice little signing the Bucs have there.
Even more interesting is that Rachaad White was No. 14, having a successful run on 53.8 percent of his carries. Joe had no idea White had that many successful runs last season.
Bucky Irving was No. 47, on just 41.6 percent of his carries. This reinforces Joe’s contention that Bucky was not the Bucs’ best back last season. Yes, Joe knows Bucky was hurt.
So let’s go back to Bucky’s rookie season, 2024, when he tore up the league. Bucky was No. 9 in the NFL with a successful run on 55.1 percent of his carries.
So, yeah, Joe thinks the Bucs got a very nice safety net if Bucky gets hurt or struggles this fall.
March 17th, 2026 at 12:02 am
Such a mystery why Rachaad left. After all, the Bucs have a coach who everyone wants to play for, just ask Mike Evans.
Oh, wait.
March 17th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Or maybe he’s RB1 and Bucky is RB2
March 17th, 2026 at 12:18 am
At the least, Gainwell is insurance in case the Bucs never see the Bucky Irving of 2024 again. Bucky of 2025 got hurt, then took an extended length of time to get back on the field and when he did and he certainly was not the “hot hand” (this probably sealed the deal for Rachaad and the Bucs as he was the hot hand at times and often was overlooked). Bucky aired his frustration at the OL in Miami, forcing Wirfs to step in to intervene. Was this frustration like Evans after the ATL game or immaturity? Bucky’s long absence is troubling, the Bucs did not put him on IR and yet he was out for 7 games, did he have psychological issues as was rumored? Lots of questions about Bucky. Bucs needed someone who brought some leadership and passion to the team. Gainwell seems to be this guy. Perhaps Bucky will take note and realize that he might now be in a RB by committee role which will cut down on wear and tear. Plus Tucker is back and the Bucs may bring in another RB via day 3 of the draft of as a UDFA. Bucky’s 2025 season definitely put the Bucs on notice and theytook action.
March 17th, 2026 at 12:20 am
Don’t worry. Bucky loves playing for Todd. He’ll improve every year just like Devin White did.
March 17th, 2026 at 12:26 am
Bucky stunk before the season started
Remember the preseason game against Pittsburgh
Bucky had something like 8 carries for 12 yards against Pittsburgh backups
Rachaad White was clearly the best RB during the preseason
He won the RB1 job outright, it wasn’t even close
They chose to stick with Bucky, and it cost them a trip to the playoffs
Simple as that
March 17th, 2026 at 12:30 am
Still need to draft one
Preferably a big’un
March 17th, 2026 at 12:33 am
Mike Washington, Arkansas
Mike Washington 6-1, 223 4.33
March 17th, 2026 at 12:38 am
$7M per year for a RB sounds like starter $ to me…. The Bucs seem to be expecting quite a bit of production from Gainwell.
White’s deal with the Foreskins is just for 1 year – with no $ details available yet. I’m guessing its for like $3M.
The Bucs paid similar to that for Tucker this year on the 1 year RFA tender. Thats a lot for a 3rd string RB….
Should be interesting this year to see how the workload is divvied up between our 3 talented RBs….
March 17th, 2026 at 12:57 am
Bucky is a very nice weapon
A situational player
How many games has he played in over the two years ?
I rest my case… love him as a rotational player
March 17th, 2026 at 1:07 am
Gainwell looks like #1 to me. Bucky better have his mind right. Healthy Oline will make a major difference for all the RB.
March 17th, 2026 at 1:13 am
The way the Bucs DIDN’t use White last year was unfathomably stupid!
Once Irving came back from injury, it was feed it to Bucky or bust.
Correction, it was feed to Bucky and tank!
Bucky is a superior PART of a running back rotation, but he is not good for more than 35 or 40% of the touches. And, that is fine because it is the way the NFL mostly is now. Forcing the ball to him is a disservice to him, to the other players, and to the fans.
March 17th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Honestly I Love Bucky one of my Favorite players on the Bucs but he did so much better when. He was playing the RB by commitee an not have to take all those hits Running between the Tackles I live The Gainwell Signing it gives the Bucs 3 good Backs an I think Gainwell is better the White hes Faster an more shifty also I just think he’s better overall plus Tucker doesn’t get enough carries it’s a long season Bucky was way more effective when he Shared the load an I think they brought Gainwell in to do just that an out OC Zac knows how to make the Run game work his best friend is Liam Coen
March 17th, 2026 at 3:34 am
Pickgrin all Rachaad got was a 1 year $2 million TAKE IT or LEAVE IT prove it deal from Washington