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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving or Samaje PerineWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Bucky Irving over Samaje Perine in 2026.

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG in 2025 to Samaje Perine's 6.5, a 5.8 point per game edge. Irving posted that edge in only 10 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

The gap here is significant. Bucky Irving outscored Samaje Perine by 5.8 PPG in 2025 with 4 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Bucky Irving is the clear pick. Samaje Perine profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

RBKansas City Chiefs

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

12.3 PPG6.5 PPG

10 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Samaje Perine: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. That per-game gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Bucky Irving and Samaje Perine for your lineup, you are not alone. Bucky Irving finished the 2025 season at 12.3 PPG for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10 games), and Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 for the Kansas City Chiefs (15 games).

That 5.8-point weekly advantage for Bucky Irving is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine Week 6. 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

Bucky Irving is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Samaje Perine is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Bucky Irving (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Bucky Irving outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 99 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Bucky Irving scored 4 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	6.5
Games Played	10	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	98
Rushing Yards	588	285
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	19.0
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	30	24
Receiving Yards	277	182
Targets	35	0
Total TDs	4	3
Age	24	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bucky Irving at 12.3 PPG, 5.8 points per game above Samaje Perine's 6.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bucky Irving or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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.

Should I draft Bucky Irving or Samaje Perine in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Bucky Irving is the earlier pick. He averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Samaje Perine's 6.5, a 5.8 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Bucky Irving and Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.8 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving outscored Samaje Perine by 5.8 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.