Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy play this season.

Alvin Kamara has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.0-PPG advantage is real (7.7 to 4.7), and Alvin Kamara's 1 touchdowns show scoring upside. Dylan Sampson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41PPG LEADER

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 8

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Alvin Kamara

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

7.7 PPG4.7 PPG

11 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. That ranking gap means Alvin Kamara carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

Alvin Kamara and Dylan Sampson are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 PPG across 11 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Dylan Sampson posted 4.7 PPG in 15 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 3.0-PPG gap gives Alvin Kamara 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. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 touchdowns; Dylan Sampson posted 175 and undefined. 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: Alvin Kamara sits Week 8 while Dylan Sampson 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

If you can acquire Alvin Kamara at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Dylan Sampson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Alvin Kamara outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 51 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dylan Sampson scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Dylan Sampson is 9 years younger than Alvin Kamara (21 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alvin Kamara vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alvin Kamara	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	4.7
Games Played	11	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	85	71
Rushing Yards	471	175
Rush Yds/Game	42.8	11.7
Rushing TDs	1	0
Receptions	33	33
Receiving Yards	186	271
Targets	39	40
Total TDs	1	2
Age	30	21
Experience	8 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

Alvin Kamara outscored Dylan Sampson by 3.0 PPG in 2025 (7.7 to 4.7). 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 Alvin Kamara or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alvin Kamara has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Alvin Kamara and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.0 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara outscored Dylan Sampson by 3.0 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.