Interesting Advanced Data On Kenneth Gainwell
March 17th, 2026
Successful.
Joe thinks it is fair to suggest new Bucs running back Kenneth Gainwell is a successful runner.
Looking up some running numbers, Joe stumbled upon a 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.
Even more interesting is that Rachaad White ranked 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
March 17th, 2026 at 6:28 am
I would not be the least bit surprised to see Gainwell become the Bucs’ starting RB at some point during the season even with a completely healthy Bucky Irving.
March 17th, 2026 at 6:51 am
you can blame the glazers for all the problems. everyone got a bite of the apple when coen was oc. over 4000 yds passing & over 2000 yds rushing. evans got his, mcmillan was improving, and the rb room was thriving. problem = BOWLES. if coen had been hc everyone would be excited about a possible sb run. not now.
March 17th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Go go gadget Gainwell.
Can’t wait to see how Z-Rob puts him to use.
“ Mike Washington, Arkansas
Mike Washington 6-1, 223 4.33”
Yea, I think he performed his way into the spotlight and out of our draft range.
Once we signed Gainwell and paid Tucker, Washington is one prospect I’ve pumped my breaks on. Big, fast, good contact balance, but like most draftees needing some refinement in the more nuanced parts of his skillset.
March 17th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Hoping they balance carries between three backs a bit. None of them were giants and I would like to not see us overuse any of the running backs. Just hoping they all end up being decent start picking up blitzers. I’m not worried about their ability to run, just rhe offensive lines ability to stay healthy and these smaller RBs ability to block.
I’m still excited to see how it plays out.
March 17th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Don’t get it White and Gainwell are basically the same person, Gainwell might have a slight advantage but he cost twice as much.
March 17th, 2026 at 9:03 am
George if you only look at numbers there isn’t much difference between Ashawn Robinson and Logan Hall. Nastiness & Contagious attitude doesn’t have a stat number attached to it now the same applies to Rachaad White & Gainwell numbers are similar BUT Gainwell plays BIG in key moments of the game, gives you something on Special Teams where Rachaad thinks he’s too good to contribute on Special Teams! Now if you look at the numbers Gainwell has slightly better numbers and FRANKLY Rachaad tap dances and waits TOO MUCH and finally the Bucs think Gainwell is a more mature person and football player that wants to be a Buc while Rachaad had checked out mentally on the team and wanted to be elsewhere
March 17th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Gainwell had half the league wanting to sign him while Rachaad had ZERO interest from teams and had to settle for whatever Washington was willing to give him on a 1 year prove it deal. In any industry ATTITUDE MATTERS
March 17th, 2026 at 10:27 am
it all goes to waste if licht doesnt improve the OL!!!!
draft OG 1st round!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 17th, 2026 at 11:10 am
We need the beef up front! It doesn’t matter how good your skill players are if you don’t have the beef on both lines. When will this Lovie 2.0 nightmare end? It’s a sinking ship Bucs life!
March 17th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Carrying three similar running backs is like carrying three goalies. It’s almost impossible to get maximum effectiveness out of all of them, especially when only one is on the field at a time. Too much down time for the other two. Rashaad is playing on a prove-it, incentive one-year contract because he was not used enough to prove anything all these years in Tampa. If he succeeds as a full-time starter at Washington, he will be a free agent next year. Running backs have short careers; they can’t waste years on teams that are in love with tinkering to prove their own cleverness. That’s why h rightfully left. Tucker is still only 24, so he’s probably bye-bye sooner than later. Gainwell’s “success” rate is a tribute to good play calling based on down-and-distance.
March 17th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
We tried making Bucky an every down back it blew up in our face. I think you will see a 50/50 split almost between Bucky and Gainwell to keep both fresh and healthy.
Rather have Bucky for 10 carries a game and 3 catches for 17 games then to see him miss half the season every year.
March 17th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
KG and Bucky seem like very similar backs – almost irreplaceable.
Short, quick vs fast, great hands, willing (albeit small) blockers.
March 17th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Only time will tell if he’s going to be the number 1 back right? If he does what Bucky did in 24 he could become the lead ball carrier. I like what Gainwell has done but now he’s here and I hope they both come out damn even Tucker my bad, and be what we need. It would be nice for the RB’s to dictate most games.
March 17th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
He’s one of the 25 highest paid running backs in the league.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:22 am
I really don’t think White was that bad last year but he could have helped his team alot more by just putting his head down when needed. Now we find out he was being a diva? Yeah no surprise he is history. I think there are a few more who should have their bags packed and sitting by the door BTW
Go Bucs!