Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Devin NealWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Bucky Irving outscored Devin Neal by 6.6 PPG in 2025 with 4 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Bucky Irving is the clear pick. Devin Neal profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Bucky Irving and Devin Neal in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Devin Neal

Head to Head

12.3 PPG5.7 PPG

10 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Devin Neal at 26%. That ranking gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Devin Neal: The Full Breakdown

Bucky Irving and Devin Neal are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back averaged 12.3 PPG in 2025, a full 6.6 points per game ahead of Devin Neal's 5.7 with the New Orleans Saints. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 6.6-point weekly advantage for Bucky Irving is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Devin Neal posted 206 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 10, and Devin Neal rests in Week 8. 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

Bucky Irving is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Devin Neal is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Devin Neal by a projected 112 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bucky Irving played 10 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Bucky Irving contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bucky Irving scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Devin Neal: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Devin Neal
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	5.7
Games Played	10	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	51
Rushing Yards	588	206
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	22.9
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	30	17
Receiving Yards	277	104
Targets	35	19
Total TDs	4	2
Age	23	22
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bucky Irving at 12.3 PPG, 6.6 points per game above Devin Neal's 5.7. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Bucky Irving vs Devin Neal

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Bucky Irving vs Devin Neal

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bucky Irving or Devin Neal in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Bucky Irving and Devin Neal average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Devin Neal averaged 5.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 6.6 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Devin Neal's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Devin Neal a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Devin Neal by 6.6 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.