Ashton Jeanty vs Bucky Irving: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Ashton Jeanty and Bucky Irving is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 PPG with the Las Vegas Raiders across 17 games, and Bucky Irving posted 12.3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 10.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Ashton Jeanty is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 55 targets into 346 yards, while Bucky Irving profiles as a more traditional rusher with 588 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Ashton Jeanty carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Ashton Jeanty has his bye in Week 10, and Bucky Irving rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
