Bucky Irving vs Jaylen Warren: Who Should You Start?
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 11, 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.
