Bucky Irving vs De'Von Achane
Who should you start in Week 7? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 7
Start Bucky Irving this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.5 projected points (15.1 vs 12.6).
Bucky Irving faces CAR, the 8th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. De'Von Achane faces NYJ, the 23rd-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Bucky Irving, and it isn't close: 22.5 points of value over replacement separate them (86.6 vs 64.1).
The room sees it the other way: drafters take De'Von Achane first (ADP 9.7 vs 46.2). If the model is right, Bucky Irving is the value pick, since the later cost buys the better 2026 projection.
Health note: Bucky Irving carries an injury flag of Questionable (Illness), which is already reflected in his projection.
Health note: De'Von Achane carries an injury flag of IR (Knee - ACL), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Bucky IrvingTAM | De'Von AchaneMIA | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 opponent | CAR | NYJ | |
| Projected Week 7 points | 15.1 | 12.6 | Irving +2.5 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 28) | #8 | #23 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 245.6 | 223.1 | Irving +22.5 pts |
| Points per game | 14.4 | 13.1 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 86.6 | 64.1 | Irving +22.5 |
| Overall rank | #18 | #22 | Irving by 4 |
| Position rank | RB14 | RB16 | |
| Market ADP | 46.2 | 9.7 | Irving +36.5 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 4 | Rd 1 | |
| Bye week | 10 | 6 | |
| Injury flag | Questionable | IR |
Should I start Bucky Irving or De'Von Achane in Week 7?
Start Bucky Irving this week: a clear but modest edge of 2.5 projected points (15.1 vs 12.6).
Should I draft Bucky Irving or De'Von Achane in 2026 fantasy football?
Bucky Irving. He projects 245.6 fantasy points with 86.6 value over replacement, vs 223.1 points and 64.1 for De'Von Achane (RB, PPR).