Bucky Irving or Tucker Kraft: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Irving’s receiving role offsets Kraft’s stronger scoring setup
Irving’s feature-back workload and passing-game role give him the sturdier touch floor, but Minnesota’s early matchup signal is difficult—and based on too little data to settle the call. Kraft counters with an every-down role in the better scoring environment, and his TE9 standing carries value in a shallow position pool; the thin target share still leaves little margin if the catches don’t come. Irving offers broader volume, Kraft offers positional value and a stronger setting, so neither has a decisive edge.
What flips it: A reduction in Irving’s passing-game work would hand Kraft’s stronger scoring environment the edge.
Sources: buccaneers.com · Sep 17, 2026 · SI/Packers On SI · Sep 21, 2026
AI editor
Bucky Irving
12.614.215.8 Projected Points
Tucker Kraft
6.38.310.3 Projected Points
Bucky Irving’s market
Tucker Kraft’s market
Why Bucky Irving
Start· mediumRB1 and feature back. Elusive one-cut runner with excellent contact balance and pass-game usage.
70% snaps and an 18% target share make Irving a three-down workhorse; 15.8 projected points plays as a clear RB2 even into a top-10 run defense.
- Buccaneers coverage identifies Irving as a passing-game outlet, supporting his floor beyond carries. [buccaneers.com 2026-09-17]
- His feature-back role gives you multiple paths to production, not just a favorable rushing matchup.
The call
- Role is locked in: 70% snap share and an 18% target share out of the RB slot mean volume in both the run game and the passing game, which is exactly the PPR profile you want.
- The 15.8-point projection outruns his RB22 consensus rank, so the market is behind the usage here — that's a start over a typical 12-team replacement.
- Matchup is the one wart: Minnesota grades 9 of 32 in DvP composite, but that's a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't override a proven workload.
- A 1.5-point favorite with a 23.0 implied total keeps the game script neutral-to-positive — no blowout risk either way, and Tampa Bay can lean on him late if it leads.
Latest on Irving
As our three-way competition to predict the Buccaneers' weekly standout player continues, we get two picks on offense and our first selection of the year for first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr.
Against the Bengals in Week One, Bucky Irving showcased his versatile skillset, reminiscent of his production at Oregon
Bucky Irving's first start of 2026 is a sign of good things to come
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Tucker Kraft
Start· mediumTE1 and primary seam threat. Physical yards-after-catch producer and capable in-line blocker; returning from injury.
TE9 with an 82% snap share on a 27.0 implied total; every-down role outweighs a thin 13% target share in a shallow TE pool.
- Kraft played all but one offensive snap in Week 2 despite limited receiving production. [SI/Packers On SI 2026-09-21]
- His TE1 role and primary seam-threat profile give his opportunity value in a shallow position pool.
The call
- Role is locked in: 82% snap share over two games, and he played 58 of 59 snaps in Week 2 per Packers On SI. That kind of full-time usage is rare at tight end.
- Game environment is strong. Green Bay's 27.0 implied total and -7.5 spread point to plenty of scoring chances, which raises his touchdown equity.
- Matchup reads favorable at 24 of 32 on DvP, but it's a 2-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it carries little weight.
- The risk is volume: a 13% target share and a 2-catch, 15-yard Week 2 with a fumble cap his floor. At 10.3 projected points and TE9, he still clears a typical replacement tight end.
Latest on Kraft
Kraft played 58 of 59 offensive snaps in Week 2 (all but one), in line with his prior workload, catching two passes for 15 yards while also fumbling and drawing a holding penalty.
SI/Packers On SI · Sep 21, 2026Odds, bets and analysis to help you bet Falcons-Packers on "Thursday Night Football."
Packers tight end eager to rise to the occasion, win games
General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transaction Saturday
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Bucky Irving | Tucker Kraft |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 12.614.215.8 | 6.38.310.3 |
| Consensus rank | RB22 | TE9 |
| Opponent vs position | MIN · 9 of 322-game sample | ATL · 24 of 322-game sample |
| Rushing Yards | 13 of 32 | — |
| Rushing TDs | 1 of 32 | — |
| Rushing Attempts | 18 of 32 | — |
| Receptions | 6 of 32 | 22 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 17 of 32 | 22 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 1 of 32 | 30 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | — | 30 of 32 |
| Targets | — | 17 of 32 |
| Target share | 18% | 13% |
| Reception share | 25% | 14% |
| Implied total · spread | 23.0-1.5 | 27.0-7.5 |
| Depth chart | RB1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 70% | 82% |
| Start/Sit record | 1–0+1 toss-up | 0–2 |
Recent form
Bucky Irving — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs CLE | 9.011.013.0 |
| Week 1 | vs CIN | 13.316.820.3 |
Tucker Kraft — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs NYJ | 1.52.53.5 |
| Week 1 | vs MIN | 6.58.09.5 |
Signal breakdown
- 15.8 vs 10.3 projected PPR pointsBucky Irving +
- Rank 22 vs 9Tucker Kraft +
- Opponent DvP rank 9 vs 24 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 23.0 vs 27.0 team pointsTucker Kraft +
- No injury designationseven
- 70% vs 82% snap shareTucker Kraft +
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