Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Jaylen WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Warren is the better play on a neutral week. 12.3 PPG with 1,291 yards gives a reliable baseline. Alvin Kamara at 7.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jaylen Warren higher, but do not fade Alvin Kamara entirely.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 8

RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Alvin Kamara

Jaylen Warren

Head to Head

7.7 PPG12.3 PPG

11 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and Jaylen Warren at 56%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs Jaylen Warren: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Alvin Kamara and Jaylen Warren for your lineup, you are not alone. Alvin Kamara finished the 2025 season at 7.7 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (11 games), and Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (16 games).

That 4.6-point weekly advantage for Jaylen Warren is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Alvin Kamara profiles as a more traditional rusher with 471 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Alvin Kamara has his bye in Week 8, and Jaylen Warren rests in Week 9. 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

Jaylen Warren is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Alvin Kamara is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Alvin Kamara by a projected 78 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alvin Kamara vs Jaylen Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alvin Kamara	Jaylen Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	12.3
Games Played	11	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	85	197
Rushing Yards	471	958
Rush Yds/Game	42.8	59.9
Rushing TDs	1	6
Receptions	33	40
Receiving Yards	186	333
Targets	39	45
Total TDs	1	8
Age	30	27
Experience	8 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Warren at 12.3 PPG, 4.6 points per game above Alvin Kamara's 7.7. 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 Alvin Kamara or Jaylen Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 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 Jaylen Warren average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.6 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Jaylen Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Jaylen Warren a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Alvin Kamara by 4.6 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.