Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Ashton JeantyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Aaron Jones's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Ashton Jeanty has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.1-PPG advantage is real (12.8 to 8.7), and Ashton Jeanty's 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Aaron Jones is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBLas Vegas Raiders#17PPG LEADER

Ashton Jeanty

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

975

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

346

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Ashton Jeanty

Head to Head

8.7 PPG12.8 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Ashton Jeanty at 58%. That ranking gap means Ashton Jeanty carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Ashton Jeanty: The Full Breakdown

Aaron Jones and Ashton Jeanty are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG across 12 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Ashton Jeanty posted 12.8 PPG in 17 appearances for the Las Vegas Raiders.

A 4.1-PPG gap gives Ashton Jeanty 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.

Ashton Jeanty is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 55 targets into 346 yards, while Aaron Jones profiles as a more traditional rusher with 548 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Ashton Jeanty carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Ashton Jeanty is off Week 13. 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

If you can acquire Ashton Jeanty at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Aaron Jones is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Ashton Jeanty outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 70 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ashton Jeanty played 17 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Ashton Jeanty contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Ashton Jeanty caught 55 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Ashton Jeanty is 9 years younger than Aaron Jones (22 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Ashton Jeanty: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Ashton Jeanty
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	12.8
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	218
Rushing Yards	548	975
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	57.4
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	28	55
Receiving Yards	199	346
Targets	41	73
Total TDs	3	10
Age	31	22
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 13

Summary

Ashton Jeanty outscored Aaron Jones by 4.1 PPG in 2025 (12.8 to 8.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Ashton Jeanty in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Aaron Jones's 8.7 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 Aaron Jones and Ashton Jeanty average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.1 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Ashton Jeanty's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Ashton Jeanty a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty outscored Aaron Jones by 4.1 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.