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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Zonovan KnightWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Zonovan Knight's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Aaron Jones has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (8.7 to 6.8), and Aaron Jones's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Zonovan Knight is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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
12
Rush Yds
548
Rush TDs
2
Rec
28
Rec Yds
199
Bye
Week 6
RBArizona Cardinals#99
Zonovan Knight
PPG
6.8
Games
12
Rush Yds
269
Rush TDs
4
Rec
22
Rec Yds
160
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Aaron Jones
Zonovan Knight

Head to Head

8.7 PPG6.8 PPG
12 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Zonovan Knight: 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 Zonovan Knight at 31%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Zonovan Knight: The Full Breakdown

Aaron Jones and Zonovan Knight are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG across 12 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Zonovan Knight posted 6.8 PPG in 12 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 1.9-PPG gap gives Aaron Jones the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Zonovan Knight posted 269 and 4. 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 Zonovan Knight rests in Week 11. 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. Zonovan Knight (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Aaron Jones outscored Zonovan Knight by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Zonovan Knight scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Zonovan Knight is 6 years younger than Aaron Jones (25 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Zonovan Knight: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAaron JonesZonovan Knight
PPG (Half-PPR)8.76.8
Games Played1212
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)10482
Rushing Yards548269
Rush Yds/Game45.722.4
Rushing TDs24
Receptions2822
Receiving Yards199160
Targets4131
Total TDs35
Age3125
Experience8 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 11

Summary

Aaron Jones outscored Zonovan Knight by 1.9 PPG in 2025 (8.7 to 6.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Zonovan Knight in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Zonovan Knight's 6.8 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 Zonovan Knight average in 2025?

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Zonovan Knight averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Zonovan Knight's bye weeks in 2026?

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Zonovan Knight (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Zonovan Knight a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Aaron Jones outscored Zonovan Knight by 1.9 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.

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