antasy football is about finding value before the rest of the league sees it. Every year, there are players who outperform expectations because opportunity meets talent. The first month of the season is where we find out which offseason narratives were real and which ones were just hype. Here are my bold predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first quarter of the 2026 fantasy season.
Don’t miss the rest of Jay’s series on the 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
The Fantasy Takes That Could Make or Break Your Draft
Bold Prediction No. 1
Bucky Irving Is a Top 5 Fantasy Running Back Through Four Weeks
The fantasy community has been waiting for the Buccaneers to fully commit to Bucky Irving. That time has arrived.
Yes, Tampa brought in Kenneth Gainwell to help in the passing game, and Sean Tucker remains a talented depth option. But Irving is the most complete back on the roster. His ability to create explosive plays, catch passes, and stay efficient makes him the perfect centerpiece for this offense.
Through four weeks, my projection:
Bucky Irving
- 78 carries
- 360 rushing yards
- 16 receptions
- 130 receiving yards
- 4 touchdowns
Fantasy Finish: RB3-RB5 overall through Week 4
The biggest reason? Fantasy football rewards volume. If Irving is getting 18-22 touches per game, his floor is already elite.
Bold Prediction No. 2
Emeka Egbuka Has a 100-Yard Game Before Week 5
Everyone wants to know: Can Emeka Egbuka replace Mike Evans?
The answer is complicated.
He will not replace Evans’ exact skill set. Mike Evans was one of the best contested-catch and redzone receivers of his generation.
But fantasy football is about targets. And those targets are now available.
Egbuka enters 2026 with the opportunity to become Baker Mayfield‘s first read, and analysts have already identified him as one of the top breakout candidates because of the expected increase in volume.
My prediction, before Week 5:
Emeka Egbuka records:
- 100+ receiving yards
- 8+ catches
- 3 touchdown
The fantasy community stops asking: “Can Egbuka be the WR1?”
And starts asking: “How high can he finish?”
Bold Prediction No. 3
Baker Mayfield Finishes September as a Fantasy QB1
This might be the prediction that gets the most pushback. Baker Mayfield is not being drafted like an elite fantasy quarterback.
But look at the situation. He has:
- A young receiver ready to take a major step
- A versatile running back who creates easy throws
- A veteran receiver who can win underneath
- An offense that should play faster and more aggressively
The biggest mistake fantasy managers make is only looking at quarterback talent. Fantasy production comes from opportunity. Baker has opportunity.
My September projection:
- 1,100 passing yards
- 9 touchdowns
- 2 rushing touchdowns
Fantasy finish: QB7-QB10 through four weeks
Bold Prediction No. 4
Chris Godwin Outscores His ADP in PPR Leagues
The fantasy community is going to chase the shiny new toy. Everyone wants Egbuka. Everyone wants Bucky. And everyone wants the breakout. And that is exactly why Chris Godwin becomes valuable. Godwin does not need 1,200 yards to help fantasy managers.
He just needs targets. In a Tampa offense that should throw plenty, Godwin becomes the player Baker trusts when defenses take away explosive plays.
First-quarter projection:
- 24 receptions
- 275 yards
- 2 touchdowns
Fantasy finish: Reliable WR3 with WR2 weeks
Bold Prediction No. 5
The Buccaneers Have Three Top 12 Fantasy Players After Four Weeks
This is the biggest one. By the end of September, fantasy managers are going to look at Tampa differently.
My prediction:
- Baker Mayfield — Top 12
- Bucky Irving — Top 5
- Emeka Egbuka — Top 12
That means Tampa Bay becomes one of the premier fantasy stacks in football.
Quarter One Final Thoughts
The first four weeks of the Buccaneers’ season are not about proving they can replace Mike Evans. They cannot replace Mike Evans. They have to evolve beyond Mike Evans. The fantasy opportunity is there.
Bucky Irving has the chance to become a true three-down fantasy star. Emeka Egbuka has the opportunity to become one of football’s next elite young receivers. Baker Mayfield has the chance to finally become a quarterback fantasy managers draft instead of stream.
After four weeks, I believe fantasy managers will be saying: “The Buccaneers weren’t a team to avoid after Mike Evans left. They were the team to target.”
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Before you go, check out where Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, and the rest of the Buccaneers fall in our 2026 Fantasy Rankings!
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