Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Chris Rodriguez Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 7.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Aaron Jones edges Chris Rodriguez Jr. by 1.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Aaron Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBWashington Commanders#43

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

PPG

7.5

Games

Rush Yds

500

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Head to Head

8.7 PPG7.5 PPG

12 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Chris Rodriguez Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #43 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Chris Rodriguez Jr. at 34%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Chris Rodriguez Jr.: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Aaron Jones finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG over 12 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. clocked in at 7.5 across 12 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Chris Rodriguez Jr. posted 500 and 6. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Aaron Jones is off Week 6 and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Week 7. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Chris Rodriguez Jr. by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Chris Rodriguez Jr. is 5 years younger than Aaron Jones (26 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Chris Rodriguez Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	7.5
Games Played	12	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	90
Rushing Yards	548	500
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	41.7
Rushing TDs	2	6
Receptions	28	3
Receiving Yards	199	30
Targets	41	4
Total TDs	3	6
Age	31	26
Experience	8 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aaron Jones holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 points per game. Chris Rodriguez Jr. averaged 7.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Chris Rodriguez Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 7.5 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 Chris Rodriguez Jr. average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Chris Rodriguez Jr. averaged 7.5 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Chris Rodriguez Jr. a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Chris Rodriguez Jr. by 1.2 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.