Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Jerome FordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Jerome Ford's 8.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Aaron Jones and Jerome Ford are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

RBCleveland Browns#99

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

8.7 PPG8.4 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Jerome Ford: 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 Jerome Ford at 38%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Aaron Jones and Jerome Ford is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG with the Minnesota Vikings across 12 games, and Jerome Ford posted 8.4 with the Cleveland Browns in 15.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jerome Ford posted 582 and 3. 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 Jerome Ford 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

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. Jerome Ford (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Jerome Ford by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerome Ford played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Jerome Ford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jerome Ford scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	8.4
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	126
Rushing Yards	548	582
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	38.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	28	28
Receiving Yards	199	215
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	4
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Aaron Jones at 8.7 PPG, 0.3 points per game above Jerome Ford's 8.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Jerome Ford's 8.4 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 Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Aaron Jones or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Jerome Ford by 0.3 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.