Bucky Irving vs Saquon Barkley: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Bucky Irving and Saquon Barkley is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.1 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 Saquon Barkley posted 13.4 with the Philadelphia Eagles 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.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Bucky Irving ran for 588 yards and 1 touchdowns; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 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 11, and Saquon Barkley rests in Week 5. 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.
