Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Kimani VidalWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kimani Vidal is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.2 PPG to Aaron Jones's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kimani Vidal is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kimani Vidal and Aaron Jones are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-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#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBLos Angeles Chargers#32PPG LEADER

Kimani Vidal

PPG

9.2

Games

Rush Yds

643

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

136

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Kimani Vidal

Head to Head

8.7 PPG9.2 PPG

12 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Kimani Vidal: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Kimani Vidal at 42%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Aaron Jones vs Kimani Vidal: The Full Breakdown

Aaron Jones (8.7 PPG) and Kimani Vidal (9.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aaron Jones played 12 games for the Minnesota Vikings; Kimani Vidal suited up 12 times for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Kimani Vidal posted 643 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Kimani Vidal is off Week 7. 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

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. Kimani Vidal (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kimani Vidal outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kimani Vidal scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kimani Vidal is 7 years younger than Aaron Jones (24 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Kimani Vidal: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Kimani Vidal
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	9.2
Games Played	12	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	110
Rushing Yards	548	643
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	53.6
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	28	16
Receiving Yards	199	136
Targets	41	22
Total TDs	3	4
Age	31	24
Experience	8 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kimani Vidal at 9.2 PPG, 0.5 points per game above Aaron Jones's 8.7. 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 Kimani Vidal in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kimani Vidal has the edge at 9.2 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 Kimani Vidal average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Kimani Vidal averaged 9.2 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Kimani Vidal's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Kimani Vidal (LAC) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Kimani Vidal a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kimani Vidal outscored Aaron Jones by 0.5 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.