Bucky Irving
TB vs. DALFloor7.5
Median11.2
Ceiling15.2
Recent PPG: 10.2
Recent volume: 17.5
Snap share: 56%
Availability: No current-week designation
Week 5 lineup decision · updated Oct 10, 2026, 1:57 PM EDT
Bucky Irving or George Pickens: who should I start?
Bucky Irving has the narrow Week 5 lean over George Pickens. The Half PPR projection is 11.2 to 11.0.
The lean blends recorded scoring, recent workload, opponent positional defense and only same-week listed availability. Recheck the official inactive list before kickoff.
TB vs. DALOpen player file →
George Pickens
DAL vs. TBFloor7.0
Median11.0
Ceiling16.4
Recent PPG: 7.9
Recent volume: 7.0
Snap share: 86%
Availability: No current-week designation
Scoring changes the call
4 points per passing TDWeek 5 projection by format.
Standard
Start Bucky Irving
1.2-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start
Bucky Irving
TB vs. DAL- Floor
- 7.1
- Projection
- 9.7
- Ceiling
- 14.2
Other option
George Pickens
DAL vs. TB- Floor
- 4.0
- Projection
- 8.5
- Ceiling
- 13.2
Half PPR
Start Bucky Irving — close call
0.2-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start
Bucky Irving
TB vs. DAL- Floor
- 7.5
- Projection
- 11.2
- Ceiling
- 15.2
Other option
George Pickens
DAL vs. TB- Floor
- 7.0
- Projection
- 11.0
- Ceiling
- 16.4
PPR
Start George Pickens — close call
0.8-point gapHigh confidence
Other option
Bucky Irving
TB vs. DAL- Floor
- 8.3
- Projection
- 12.8
- Ceiling
- 16.9
Recommended start
George Pickens
DAL vs. TB- Floor
- 9.6
- Projection
- 13.6
- Ceiling
- 19.6
Floor and ceiling show the lower and upper ends of the player's recent scoring range. The projection is the middle estimate after current role, matchup, and same-week availability are applied.
Why the model leans this way
Role first. Matchup second. Availability always visible.
Two viable FLEX options with similar weekly projections, compared through recent opportunity, scoring format, matchup and current availability.
Bucky Irving: recent role lowers the estimate, and the matchup helps. George Pickens: recent role raises the estimate, and the matchup is neutral.
Availability adjustments apply only when the source contains a Week 5 report. Older designations remain visible in the injury archive but do not reduce this projection.
Week 5 final result
Bucky Irving scored more. The pregame lean was right.
Bucky Irving: 30.5 Half PPR · George Pickens: 23.5 Half PPR.