Tampa Bay

Buccaneers

Hurst was overthrown by Baker Mayfield a few times in the second half. It could have been a big day for the speedy rookie if his quarterback weren’t struggling so mightily with deep throws. Hurst had a solid role though, running a route on 29 of the team’s 37 drop backs. He will be a high-variance flex play for Week 3 against the Vikings if Mayfield can find a little accuracy.

Otton led the Bucs in targets while running nearly every route. This has been Otton’s role for quite some time. You know what you’re getting if you use Otton in fantasy lineups: He’s something of a PPR cheat code who thrives in negative game script. He’ll be a deep league option in Week 3 against the Vikings.

The Bucs main slot guy saw some early involvement but was invisible for most of the second half as the Bucs pushed the ball downfield. Godwin, who now has 86 yards on seven grabs through two games, is a WR4 option in a struggling Tampa offense. Until Baker Mayfield improves, Godwin should stay on benches in most fantasy formats, especially against the formidable Minnesota defense in Week 3.

Gainwell saw some pass-catching involvement once the Bucs fell behind Cleveland, but it was once again Bucky Irving who worked as Tampa’s clear No. 1 back, seeing 19 touches, including most of the early-down opportunities. Irving’s domination of the Bucs backfield through two weeks means Gainwell is nothing more than a bench stash in 12-team formats for now.

Mayfield, after throwing for just 216 yards and fumbling three times in Week 1 against the Bengals, was just as bad against Cleveland. He took three sacks and held on to the ball far too long on several drop backs in the second half. His only touchdown went to a wide open Emeka Egbuka from eight yards out. Mayfield missed a couple easy throws that could have gone for long gains, and overthrew Ted Hurst three times after Hurst had beaten the Cleveland secondary. With his late-season struggles bleeding into the 2026 campaign, Mayfield won’t be a one-QB league option in Week 3 against the Vikings.

Irving for a second straight week functioned as the unquestioned No. 1 backfield option ahead of Kenneth Gainwell, who had two rushes and three receptions on the day. Irving had a few solid runs in the first half before the Browns put the clamps on the Tampa rushing attack and forced Baker Mayfield to beat them (he did not). While somewhat surprising, Irving’s early domination of the Bucs backfield means he’ll be a high-floor weekly running back option until proven otherwise. He gets a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Vikings.

Egbuka was oh-so-close to a big game but Baker Mayfield remained wildly inaccurate in this one. Mayfield connected with Egbuka for a short score in the first half — the only positive play in the pass game for the struggling Tampa offense. While Cade Otton led the Bucs with six targets, Egbuka remains the team’s clear No. 1 target who should bounce back sooner rather than later. He should remain in all lineups next week against the Vikings.

Tucker was out last week with the hamstring issue. His return to the Tampa lineup could take a few touches away from Bucky Irving and/or Kenneth Gainwell. Last week against the Bengals, Irving out-carried Gainwell 8-5 and led the backfield with a 59 percent route share. Bucs declared CB Jacob Parrish, CB Ayden Garnes, DL Elijah Simmons, DL DeMonta Capehart, OL Billy Schrauth, and OL Luke Haggard inactive for Week 2.

The Bucs are going to ease McMillan back into the lineup after he missed Week 1 with the knee injury. McMillan will take rookie Ted Hurst’s spot in the lineup once healthy, but that might not happen until Week 3. Until we see what their split looks like, neither Hurst nor McMillan should be in fantasy lineups.

This is a little surprising. The Buccaneers seem to be taking it very slowly as they bring McMillan back from his knee injury. At this point, he must be treated as being truly questionable to play. He is a boom-bust FLEX if active.