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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving or Tucker KraftWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Tucker Kraft over Bucky Irving in 2026.

Tucker Kraft (12.6 PPG) and Bucky Irving (12.3) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. They play different positions, so weigh the per-game edge against what your roster needs at TE and RB. Tucker Kraft is Tier 1 among tight ends, Bucky Irving is Tier 5 among running backs.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Tucker Kraft (12.6 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Bucky Irving (12.3 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

TEGreen Bay Packers#2PPG LEADER

Tucker Kraft

PPG

12.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

489

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Tucker Kraft

Head to Head

12.3 PPG12.6 PPG

10 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Tucker Kraft: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #2 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 5 (Flex/Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 1 (Elite) TE in most league formats.

Bucky Irving vs Tucker Kraft: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Bucky Irving (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) against Tucker Kraft (TE, Green Bay Packers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG in 2025 over 10 games, while Tucker Kraft posted 12.6 PPG across 8 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 10, Tucker Kraft in Week 11. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Tucker Kraft (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Tucker Kraft outscored Bucky Irving by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Bucky Irving played 10 games in 2025 compared to Tucker Kraft's 8. That durability gap means Bucky Irving contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tucker Kraft scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.
•Tucker Kraft caught 32 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Tucker Kraft: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Tucker Kraft
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	12.6
Games Played	10	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	101
Rushing Yards	588	3
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	0.4
Rushing TDs	1	0
Receptions	30	32
Receiving Yards	277	489
Targets	35	44
Total TDs	4	6
Age	24	25
Experience	1 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tucker Kraft at 12.6 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Bucky Irving's 12.3. 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 Tucker Kraft in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tucker Kraft has the edge at 12.6 PPG compared to Bucky Irving's 12.3 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 Tucker Kraft in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Tucker Kraft and Bucky Irving come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Bucky Irving's 12.3, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Bucky Irving and Tucker Kraft average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Tucker Kraft averaged 12.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Tucker Kraft's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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