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Davis Mattek fantasy football takes on Bucky Irving
Every source-backed video insight STACKED has extracted from Davis Mattek about Bucky Irving.
25
Insights
16
Positive
6
Negative
Insight ledger
All Davis Mattek insights about Bucky Irving
PositiveRoleOct 29, 2026
Davis Mattek is excited about Bucky Irving's role and plans to play him at DFS as a spend-down running back option. Irving got only 2 targets on 11 drop backs last week, but Mattek believes his passing game role is bound to improve with Baker Mayfield back, with potential to see 5–6 targets in games where the Buccaneers drop back 30 times. Two weeks prior, Irving had 61 snaps out of 73, demonstrating consistent high-volume backfield role; Mattek is personally okay with the carry distribution (24 carries in Week 7 despite game script favoring runs) and does not expect the percentage to scale down significantly.PositiveValueOct 22, 2026
DFS value at $6,100 on DraftKings with strong snap rate; coming off 81% snap rate game with 61-9 snap split over Kenneth Gainwell; very interesting spot as Gainwell has underperformed despite significant contract investment. Expected to benefit from Baker Mayfield's return to lineup, which will add 2-3 additional checkdowns on top of 4-5 weekly targets and screens; currently limited by Jaylen Daniels' aversion to checking down. Davis Mattek identifies Irving as the only player with real upside on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, which lacks gas outside of him.PositiveValueOct 21, 2026
Irving logged 62 snaps last week with 19 carries to Kenny Gainwell's 2, establishing clear backfield dominance. Projected at 65% of rushes and 8-10% of targets, Irving runs as many or more routes than Gainwell every week. Baker Mayfield's return should increase overall pass attempts and target opportunities for Buccaneers running backs, who have seen volatile target share ranging from 7% to 28% combined week-to-week. Irving's route participation (62% last week) exceeds Gainwell's (15%), positioning him as the clear pass-game option.NegativeValueOct 19, 2026
Davis Mattek characterizes Bucky Irving as a player you are not mad about having on a team, but you are not particularly excited about either; a fine but not premium draft pick.NegativeBustOct 19, 2026
Davis Mattek uses Bucky Irving as a case study for how speed limitations cap elite potential. Despite having Gibbs/Bijan-level skill, Irving's 40-time (4.6-4.7) instead of 4.4 prevents him from being an elite fantasy option. Mattek states: 'if Bucky was a 4 4 guy instead of like a 4 6 and 1/2 4 7 guy Bucky would be like the best running back in the NFL. He would be Gibbs Bijan like level of um skill.' The implication is that Irving's current speed profile limits his fantasy ceiling despite elite running ability.PositiveUsageOct 15, 2026
Davis Mattek identifies Bucky Irving as a top DFS priority, noting he secured the expected workload last week, including two goal-line carries. While his target volume has decreased with Jalen Daniels at quarterback, his role remains stable, and his outlook is bolstered by the potential absence of Sean Tucker.PositiveProjectionOct 8, 2026
Mattek is moving Bucky Irving down in his rankings, indicating reduced confidence in his Week 5 production. Mattek also prefers Shelton over Bucky Irving in a trade scenario, indicating Irving is less desirable as a trade target.PositiveProjectionOct 3, 2026
Davis Mattek expects the Buccaneers to heavily establish the run game against the Packers defense with a mobile QB in Jaylen Daniels. Irving's rushing yards prop of 55 yards is assessed as too low given the anticipated run-heavy game plan and Irving's recent strong performance. Irving has been 'balling out' recently, and Mattek expects his props to be set at relatively low levels, making him a candidate for a Flex 4 parlay on Underdog. Mattek is also taking Irving to exceed 13.5 rush attempts as part of a prop pick slate.NegativeProjectionSep 30, 2026
Irving presents a significant projection problem: he dominates Kenny Gainwell in backfield touches but has been inefficient from a fantasy standpoint. Last week he posted only 3.1 yards per carry and a 50% catch rate on targets. The source notes that if Irving continues to be this bad and inefficient while maintaining high backfield dominance, projections will systematically overestimate him by ramping up market share without accounting for poor efficiency—creating a mismatch between usage and production.NegativeInjurySep 28, 2026
Davis Mattek missed an injury report on Bucky Irving and expressed concern if Irving is banged up, indicating uncertainty about his availability and health status.NegativeUsageSep 27, 2026
Mattek drafted Bucky Irving in 163 drafts, indicating he is part of the source's roster construction strategy for Week 3 contests.PositiveUsageSep 17, 2026
Bucky Irving is a primary DFS target with projected 20-25% ownership. He has established a clear lead-back role, out-snapping and out-targeting Kenneth Gainwell, and is involved in pony formations, making his outlook bullish.PositiveUsageSep 10, 2026
Davis Mattek identifies Bucky Irving as a potential value at $5,700, expecting him to command two-thirds of the rushing share and significant early-down receiving work. Mattek expects Irving to be the lead rusher and goal-line back for the Buccaneers, though he advises monitoring ownership levels due to a potential backfield split with Kenneth Gainwell.NegativeValueAug 24, 2026
Davis Mattek believes it is highly unlikely that any team would trade away Bucky Irving.PositiveValueJul 24, 2026
Davis Mattek presents Bucky Irving as a viable running back pairing option with Jameson Williams in an alternative draft strategy. Mattek later notes he was unable to acquire Irving in the actual draft, suggesting Irving was taken before his turn.PositiveRoleJun 13, 2026
Irvin is drafted as a core running back in the best ball team, indicating confidence in his role and production as a primary back.PositiveRoleJun 13, 2026
Davis Mattek expresses confidence in Bucky Irving as a mid-round pick with both upside and safety. Irving is already back at organized team activities for the Buccaneers, has running back one ceiling, and maintains a clear fantasy football floor even if Sean Tucker and Kenneth Gainwell are strong contributors. Mattek notes Irving has had a stretch of running back one games, demonstrating legitimate ceiling upside. Irving is part of the Buccaneers running back room alongside Jahmyr Gibbs and Treyveon Henderson, which Mattek feels "very good" about. Mattek selected Irving as his tertiary running back in his final draft roster as part of a floor-ceiling and contingent value strategy at the position.NegativeInjuryMay 30, 2026
Bucky Irving has fallen significantly in ADP due to shoulder injury concerns. Davis Mattek notes 'I've seen Bucky falling quite a bit due to that shoulder injury stuff,' indicating the market is spooked about Irving's injury uncertainty. Mattek expects Irving to fall further and be available at pick 51 or later at a cheaper cost, suggesting he is deliberately avoiding early selection to let the market price him down.NegativeBustMay 16, 2026
Bucky Irving was an excellent fantasy player his rookie season but declined significantly last season even when healthy. Davis Mattek cites poor athletic profile as a concern: 2.28 RAS, 192 lb, 29-inch vert, 4.58 40-time. Mattek holds the opinion that lower RAS scores correlate with higher injury risk. In best ball, Irving is characterized as high ceiling, low floor, indicating significant upside with corresponding downside risk depending on opportunity and health.NegativeValueMay 8, 2026
Mattek found it not difficult to pass on Bucky Irving at this draft spot, suggesting he does not view Irving as a priority target in his best ball builds.PositiveBreakoutNo date
JJ Zachariason believes Bucky Irving has a better fantasy football profile than Judkins despite being on a similar trajectory, and averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game over a 10-game rookie stretch. Irving is ranked over Tua despite Zachariason being one of the biggest Tua and Burrow supporters on record. Irving is working his way back from a shoulder injury but shouldn't be surprising as the best running back in that backfield. Zachariason feels good about drafting him.PositiveInjuryNo date
Bucky Irving is back at Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice with no limitations after shoulder and foot injuries last fall; the shoulder injury required surgery but Todd Bowles said Irving feels fine, feels great, and is at full speed and full go with no easing back needed when pads come on.PositiveValueNo date
Davis Mattek finds Bucky Irving's ADP at pick 70 to be insanely good value, suggesting he is significantly underpriced relative to his upside.PositiveSleeperNo date
Davis Mattek expresses strong interest in Irving as a 2024 prospect, stating he would have been 'pretty into' him in that draft context; identifies him as a preferred running back option still available on the board.PositiveProjectionNo date
Irving showed top-five receiver production in the final six games of his rookie year, and if that performance had been his full season, he would be drafted where Drake London goes.