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Ashton Jeanty vs Bucky IrvingWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Bucky Irving's 12.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ashton Jeanty and Bucky Irving are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#17PPG LEADER
Ashton Jeanty
PPG
12.8
Games
17
Rush Yds
975
Rush TDs
5
Rec
55
Rec Yds
346
Bye
Week 13
RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19
Bucky Irving
PPG
12.3
Games
10
Rush Yds
588
Rush TDs
1
Rec
30
Rec Yds
277
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Ashton Jeanty
Bucky Irving

Head to Head

12.8 PPG12.3 PPG
17 GP10 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Bucky Irving at 56%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ashton Jeanty vs Bucky Irving: The Full Breakdown

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 13, and Bucky Irving rests in Week 10. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Ashton Jeanty outscored Bucky Irving by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ashton Jeanty played 17 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Ashton Jeanty contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Ashton Jeanty caught 55 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Bucky Irving: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAshton JeantyBucky Irving
PPG (Half-PPR)12.812.3
Games Played1710
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)218123
Rushing Yards975588
Rush Yds/Game57.458.8
Rushing TDs51
Receptions5530
Receiving Yards346277
Targets7335
Total TDs104
Age2223
Experience-1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ashton Jeanty at 12.8 PPG, 0.5 points per game above Bucky Irving's 12.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ashton Jeanty or Bucky Irving in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Bucky Irving's 12.3 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 Ashton Jeanty and Bucky Irving average in 2025?

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Ashton Jeanty and Bucky Irving's bye weeks in 2026?

Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Bucky Irving a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Ashton Jeanty outscored Bucky Irving by 0.5 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.

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