Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to James Conner's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Bucky Irving edges James Conner by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Bucky Irving goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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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

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

James Conner

Head to Head

12.3 PPG11.0 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). James Conner: 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 James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Bucky Irving finished the 2025 season at 12.3 PPG over 10 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while James Conner clocked in at 11.0 across 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals. A 1.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. 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 James Conner Week 11. 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

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: Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored James Conner by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 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 James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	11.0
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	154
Rushing Yards	588	752
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	53.7
Rushing TDs	1	5
Receptions	30	28
Receiving Yards	277	218
Targets	35	0
Total TDs	4	6
Age	23	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Bucky Irving outscored James Conner by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (12.3 to 11.0). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bucky Irving or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 James Conner average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored James Conner by 1.3 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.