The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t make many big money roster moves this offseason. With salary cap limitations looming, Jason Licht made a series of financially sensible moves on some intriguing players, including LB Alex Anzalone and edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, among others.

Included among Licht’s value additions is former Eagles and Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell. The versatile RB signed with Tampa Bay on a two-year deal to serve as Bucky Irving’s backup.

However, Gainwell might find himself earning a significantly more important role than a traditional backup. At least if you’re buying what some ESPN fantasy football experts are selling.

A panel of ESPN fantasy experts put out their lists of sleepers, breakouts, and busts for 2026, and two of them — Eric Karabell and Eric Moody — chose Gainwell as their RB sleeper choice.

Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell named a fantasy football sleeper for 2026 by ESPN experts

“Kenny Gainwell’s role could be larger than expected in Tampa Bay,” Moody wrote. “From Week 8 on last season, Gainwell, then a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, averaged 13.3 touches and 17.8 fantasy points per game. He was also a capable receiver out of the backfield, ranking near the top of the position in yards per route run during that stretch. Rachaad White is gone, and Bucky Irving is projected for 61% of the touches for the Buccaneers, leaving Gainwell with standalone appeal and RB2 upside if his role grows.”

The Bucs’ path back to the top of the NFC South and beyond clearly relies upon the return to form for Irving this fall. Injuries robbed him of half his second season, and even when he was on the field, the Bucs’ offense was a hot mess with a decimated offensive line and a gameplan under Josh Grizzard that just didn’t work. Things should be better this fall in both respects, and that bodes well for Irving.

However, the Bucs don’t want to put too much wear and tear on Irving, who’s dealt with injuries in both of his first two seasons, so Gainwell will have a substantial role. And Gainwell has made his hay in the passing game as one of the NFL’s most prolific pass catching backs. Last year in Pittsburgh, he had 73 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns, giving Gainwell major appeal in points per reception leagues.

We’ll see how things settle for Gainwell through training camp and the preseason, but for those fans who like to play fantasy football, he could deliver some sneaky good production this fall.