Bucky Irving vs Tyjae Spears: Who Should You Start?
Bucky Irving and Tyjae Spears are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 PPG across 10 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Tyjae Spears posted 6.9 PPG in 13 appearances for the Tennessee Titans.
A 5.4-PPG gap gives Bucky Irving the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Bucky Irving profiles as a more traditional rusher with 588 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
One scheduling note: Bucky Irving is off Week 11 and Tyjae Spears Week 5. 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.
