Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Bucky Irving by 7.7 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Bucky Irving 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#19

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 9

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

12.3 PPG20.0 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

Jonathan Taylor and Bucky Irving are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 7.7 points per game ahead of Bucky Irving's 12.3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 7.7 points favors Jonathan Taylor, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Bucky Irving profiles as a more traditional rusher with 588 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bucky Irving has his bye in Week 9, and Jonathan Taylor rests in Week 11. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Bucky Irving 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. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Bucky Irving by a projected 131 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Bucky Irving is 4 years younger than Jonathan Taylor (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatIrvingTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)12.320.0

Games Played1017

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)123340

Rushing Yards5881,585

Rush Yds/Game58.893.2

Rushing TDs118

Receptions3046

Receiving Yards277378

Targets3555

Total TDs420

Age2327

Experience1 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 9Week 11

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 12.3 for Bucky Irving in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Bucky Irving or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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.

How many fantasy points did Bucky Irving and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.7 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 9, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Bucky Irving by 7.7 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.