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Head to Head

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Bucky Irving vs Ty ChandlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Ty Chandler's 5.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Bucky Irving is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Bucky Irving outscored Ty Chandler by 6.4 PPG in 2025 with 4 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Bucky Irving is the clear pick. Ty Chandler 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
10
Rush Yds
588
Rush TDs
1
Rec
30
Rec Yds
277
Bye
Week 10
RBMinnesota Vikings#99
Ty Chandler
PPG
5.9
Games
14
Rush Yds
265
Rush TDs
2
Rec
18
Rec Yds
135
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Bucky Irving
Ty Chandler

Head to Head

12.3 PPG5.9 PPG
10 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Ty Chandler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Ty Chandler at 27%. That ranking gap means Bucky Irving carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Ty Chandler: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Bucky Irving put up 12.3 fantasy points per game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, while Ty Chandler managed 5.9 across 14 games with the Minnesota Vikings. A 6.4-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

That 6.4-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; Ty Chandler posted 265 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Bucky Irving sits Week 10 while Ty Chandler is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Bucky Irving is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ty Chandler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Ty Chandler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Bucky Irving outscored Ty Chandler by a projected 109 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ty Chandler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Ty Chandler 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 Ty Chandler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatBucky IrvingTy Chandler
PPG (Half-PPR)12.35.9
Games Played1014
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)12383
Rushing Yards588265
Rush Yds/Game58.818.9
Rushing TDs12
Receptions3018
Receiving Yards277135
Targets350
Total TDs43
Age23-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Bucky Irving at 12.3 PPG, 6.4 points per game above Ty Chandler's 5.9. 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 Ty Chandler in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Bucky Irving has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Ty Chandler's 5.9 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 Ty Chandler average in 2025?

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Ty Chandler averaged 5.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 6.4 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Ty Chandler's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Bucky Irving or Ty Chandler a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Bucky Irving outscored Ty Chandler by 6.4 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.

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