Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 4 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Bucky Irving is the clear pick. Ezekiel Elliott 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.

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RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

12.3 PPG7.2 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Bucky Irving and Ezekiel Elliott for your lineup, you are not alone. Bucky Irving finished the 2025 season at 12.3 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10 games), and Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 for the Dallas Cowboys (14 games).

That 5.1-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; Ezekiel Elliott posted 452 and 3. 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: Bucky Irving sits Week 10 while Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Bucky Irving is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ezekiel Elliott 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. Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott 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 Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	7.2
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	101
Rushing Yards	588	452
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	32.3
Rushing TDs	1	3
Receptions	30	18
Receiving Yards	277	128
Targets	35	0
Total TDs	4	3
Age	23	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bucky Irving at 12.3 PPG, 5.1 points per game above Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2. 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 Bucky Irving or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 5.1 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.