Bucky Irving vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?
Jonathan Taylor and Bucky Irving are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 7.7 points per game ahead of Bucky Irving's 12.3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
The per-game difference of 7.7 points favors Jonathan Taylor, 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.
Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Bucky Irving profiles as a more traditional rusher with 588 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 11, and Jonathan Taylor rests in Week 14. 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.
