Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Saquon BarkleyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Saquon Barkley is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Aaron Jones's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Saquon Barkley is the better fantasy play this season.

Saquon Barkley is the better play on a neutral week. 13.4 PPG with 1,413 yards gives a reliable baseline. Aaron Jones at 8.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Saquon Barkley higher, but do not fade Aaron Jones entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Aaron Jones and Saquon Barkley in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBPhiladelphia Eagles#14PPG LEADER

Saquon Barkley

PPG

13.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,140

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

273

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Saquon Barkley

Head to Head

8.7 PPG13.4 PPG

12 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Saquon Barkley: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Saquon Barkley at 61%. That ranking gap means Saquon Barkley carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Saquon Barkley: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Aaron Jones and Saquon Barkley is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Minnesota Vikings running back put up 8.7 PPG in 2025 over 12 games; Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles averaged 13.4 in 16. A 4.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.7 points favors Saquon Barkley, 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; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 and 7. 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 Saquon Barkley is off Week 10. 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

Saquon Barkley is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Aaron Jones 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. Saquon Barkley (age 29, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Saquon Barkley outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Saquon Barkley played 16 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Saquon Barkley contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Saquon Barkley scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Saquon Barkley caught 37 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Saquon Barkley: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Saquon Barkley
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	13.4
Games Played	12	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	214
Rushing Yards	548	1,140
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	71.3
Rushing TDs	2	7
Receptions	28	37
Receiving Yards	199	273
Targets	41	50
Total TDs	3	9
Age	31	29
Experience	8 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

13.4 PPG for Saquon Barkley versus 8.7 for Aaron Jones in 2025. The baseline favors Saquon Barkley, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Aaron Jones vs Saquon Barkley

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Aaron Jones vs Saquon Barkley

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Saquon Barkley in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Saquon Barkley has the edge at 13.4 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 Saquon Barkley average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Saquon Barkley's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Aaron Jones or Saquon Barkley a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Saquon Barkley outscored Aaron Jones by 4.7 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.