Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Jaylen WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

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

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Bucky Irving and Jaylen Warren are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.0-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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RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19PPG LEADER

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

RBPittsburgh Steelers#18

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Jaylen Warren

Head to Head

12.3 PPG12.3 PPG

10 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Jaylen Warren at 56%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Bucky Irving vs Jaylen Warren: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Bucky Irving and Jaylen Warren is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.0 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 10 games, and Jaylen Warren posted 12.3 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 16.

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.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Bucky Irving profiles as a more traditional rusher with 588 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 10, and Jaylen Warren rests in Week 9. 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: Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Jaylen Warren by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Bucky Irving is 4 years younger than Jaylen Warren (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Jaylen Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Jaylen Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	12.3
Games Played	10	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	197
Rushing Yards	588	958
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	59.9
Rushing TDs	1	6
Receptions	30	40
Receiving Yards	277	333
Targets	35	45
Total TDs	4	8
Age	23	27
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 9

Summary

12.3 PPG for Bucky Irving versus 12.3 for Jaylen Warren 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 Jaylen Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Jaylen Warren'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 Bucky Irving and Jaylen Warren average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Jaylen Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Jaylen Warren a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Jaylen Warren by 0.0 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.