Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy play this season.

Bucky Irving is the better play on a neutral week. 12.3 PPG with 865 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 8.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Bucky Irving higher, but do not fade Jacory Croskey-Merritt entirely.

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

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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

RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

12.3 PPG8.0 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Bucky Irving and Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back put up 12.3 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Washington Commanders averaged 8.0 in 17. A 4.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.3 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. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted 805 and 8. 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: Bucky Irving is off Week 10 and Jacory Croskey-Merritt Week 7. 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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	8.0
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	136
Rushing Yards	588	805
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	47.4
Rushing TDs	1	8
Receptions	30	9
Receiving Yards	277	68
Targets	35	13
Total TDs	4	8
Age	23	25
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

12.3 PPG for Bucky Irving versus 8.0 for Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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 Bucky Irving or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 4.3 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.