Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Aaron Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 747 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dylan Sampson at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Aaron Jones higher, but do not fade Dylan Sampson entirely.

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

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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

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

8.7 PPG4.7 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Aaron Jones and Dylan Sampson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Minnesota Vikings running back put up 8.7 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Dylan Sampson of the Cleveland Browns averaged 4.7 in 15. A 4.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.0 points favors Aaron Jones, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Dylan Sampson posted 175 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Aaron Jones has his bye in Week 6, and Dylan Sampson rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Aaron Jones is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Dylan Sampson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aaron Jones scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Dylan Sampson is 10 years younger than Aaron Jones (21 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	4.7
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	71
Rushing Yards	548	175
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	11.7
Rushing TDs	2	0
Receptions	28	33
Receiving Yards	199	271
Targets	41	40
Total TDs	3	2
Age	31	21
Experience	8 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

8.7 PPG for Aaron Jones versus 4.7 for Dylan Sampson in 2025. The baseline favors Aaron Jones, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Dylan Sampson by 4.0 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.