Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alexander Mattison vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (6.9 to 5.3), and Jaleel McLaughlin's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Alexander Mattison 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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RBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Alexander Mattison

PPG

5.3

Games

Rush Yds

255

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

RBDenver Broncos#99PPG LEADER

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Alexander Mattison

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

5.3 PPG6.9 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Alexander Mattison: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alexander Mattison is producing at 24% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Alexander Mattison vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

Alexander Mattison and Jaleel McLaughlin are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 PPG across 14 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Jaleel McLaughlin posted 6.9 PPG in 15 appearances for the Denver Broncos.

A 1.6-PPG gap gives Jaleel McLaughlin 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. Alexander Mattison ran for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jaleel McLaughlin posted 382 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Alexander Mattison is off Week 10 and Jaleel McLaughlin Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Alexander Mattison (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Alexander Mattison by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Alexander Mattison's 14. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaleel McLaughlin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alexander Mattison vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alexander Mattison	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.3	6.9
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	74	104
Rushing Yards	255	382
Rush Yds/Game	18.2	25.5
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	14	22
Receiving Yards	95	168
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	3
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Alexander Mattison by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (6.9 to 5.3). 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 Alexander Mattison or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge at 6.9 PPG compared to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 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 Alexander Mattison and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Alexander Mattison and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alexander Mattison (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alexander Mattison or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Alexander Mattison by 1.6 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.