Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Samaje Perine's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Alvin Kamara and Samaje Perine are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Alvin Kamara

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

7.7 PPG6.5 PPG

11 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. That ranking gap means Alvin Kamara carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Alvin Kamara finished the 2025 season at 7.7 PPG over 11 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Samaje Perine clocked in at 6.5 across 15 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 1.2-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 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: Alvin Kamara is off Week 8 and Samaje Perine Week 6. 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: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Alvin Kamara outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Samaje Perine scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Alvin Kamara caught 33 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alvin Kamara	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	6.5
Games Played	11	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	85	98
Rushing Yards	471	285
Rush Yds/Game	42.8	19.0
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	33	24
Receiving Yards	186	182
Targets	39	0
Total TDs	1	3
Age	30	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Alvin Kamara at 7.7 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Samaje Perine's 6.5. 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 Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alvin Kamara has the edge at 7.7 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara outscored Samaje Perine by 1.2 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.