Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson by 0.7 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

RBNew England Patriots#22

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

12.3 PPG11.6 PPG

10 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Bucky Irving vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Bucky Irving and Rhamondre Stevenson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 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 Rhamondre Stevenson posted 11.6 with the New England Patriots in 14.

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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Rhamondre Stevenson posted 603 and 7. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 10, and Rhamondre Stevenson rests in Week 11. 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rhamondre Stevenson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Rhamondre Stevenson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rhamondre Stevenson scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Rhamondre Stevenson caught 32 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Bucky Irving is 5 years younger than Rhamondre Stevenson (23 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	11.6
Games Played	10	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	162
Rushing Yards	588	603
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	43.1
Rushing TDs	1	7
Receptions	30	32
Receiving Yards	277	345
Targets	35	37
Total TDs	4	9
Age	23	28
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Bucky Irving holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.3 points per game. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bucky Irving or Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Bucky Irving or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by 0.7 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.