Head to Head · Start / Sit

Alvin Kamara vs Bucky Irving

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

RBNew Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 12

RBTampa Bay BuccaneersPPG LEADER

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 11

Head to Head

7.7 PPG12.3 PPG

11 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Alvin Kamara vs Bucky Irving: Who Should You Start?

Alvin Kamara and Bucky Irving are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 PPG across 11 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Bucky Irving posted 12.3 PPG in 10 appearances for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A 4.6-PPG gap gives Bucky Irving the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 touchdowns; Bucky Irving posted 588 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Alvin Kamara sits Week 12 while Bucky Irving is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving outscored Alvin Kamara by 4.6 PPG in 2025 (12.3 to 7.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alvin Kamara or Bucky Irving in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Alvin Kamara and Bucky Irving average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.6 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Bucky Irving's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Bucky Irving a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Alvin Kamara by 4.6 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.