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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Antonio Gibson or Bucky IrvingWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Bucky Irving over Antonio Gibson in 2026.

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG in 2025 to Antonio Gibson's 7.9, a 4.4 point per game edge. Irving posted that edge in only 10 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better play on a neutral week. 12.3 PPG with 865 yards gives a reliable baseline. Antonio Gibson at 7.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Bucky Irving higher, but do not fade Antonio Gibson entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBNew England Patriots

Antonio Gibson

PPG

7.9

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

195

Bye

Week 14

RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Antonio Gibson

Bucky Irving

Head to Head

7.9 PPG12.3 PPG

15 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Antonio Gibson: Unranked RB. Bucky Irving: Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Antonio Gibson is producing at 36% of elite pace and Bucky Irving at 56%. That per-game gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Antonio Gibson vs Bucky Irving: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Antonio Gibson and Bucky Irving is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New England Patriots running back put up 7.9 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Bucky Irving of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers averaged 12.3 in 10. A 4.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.4 points favors Bucky Irving, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Antonio Gibson ran for 548 yards and 3 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.

One scheduling note: Antonio Gibson is off Week 14 and Bucky Irving Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Bucky Irving is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Antonio Gibson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Antonio Gibson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Bucky Irving (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Antonio Gibson by a projected 75 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Antonio Gibson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Antonio Gibson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Antonio Gibson scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Antonio Gibson vs Bucky Irving: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Antonio Gibson	Bucky Irving
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	12.3
Games Played	15	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	119	123
Rushing Yards	548	588
Rush Yds/Game	36.5	58.8
Rushing TDs	3	1
Receptions	24	30
Receiving Yards	195	277
Targets	0	35
Total TDs	4	4
Age	-	24
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

12.3 PPG for Bucky Irving versus 7.9 for Antonio Gibson in 2025. The baseline favors Bucky Irving, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Antonio Gibson or Bucky Irving in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Antonio Gibson's 7.9 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.

Should I draft Antonio Gibson or Bucky Irving in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Bucky Irving is the earlier pick. He averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Antonio Gibson's 7.9, a 4.4 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Antonio Gibson and Bucky Irving average in 2025?▾

Antonio Gibson averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.4 points per game.

When are Antonio Gibson and Bucky Irving's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Antonio Gibson (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Antonio Gibson or Bucky Irving a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Antonio Gibson by 4.4 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.