Aaron Jones vs Christian McCaffrey: Who Should You Start?
There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings, 8.7 PPG) by 12.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.
That 12.8-point weekly advantage for Christian McCaffrey is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Aaron Jones profiles as a more traditional rusher with 548 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
One scheduling note: Aaron Jones is off Week 6 and Christian McCaffrey Week 9. 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.
