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Antonio Gibson vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Antonio Gibson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.9 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Antonio Gibson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Antonio Gibson and Jaleel McLaughlin are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-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 England Patriots#99PPG LEADER
Antonio Gibson
PPG
7.9
Games
15
Rush Yds
548
Rush TDs
3
Rec
24
Rec Yds
195
Bye
Week 14
RBDenver Broncos#99
Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG
6.9
Games
15
Rush Yds
382
Rush TDs
2
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Antonio Gibson
Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

7.9 PPG6.9 PPG
15 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Antonio Gibson: 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, Antonio Gibson is producing at 36% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Antonio Gibson vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Antonio Gibson finished the 2025 season at 7.9 PPG over 15 games with the New England Patriots, while Jaleel McLaughlin clocked in at 6.9 across 15 appearances for the Denver Broncos. A 1.0-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. Antonio Gibson ran for 548 yards and 3 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.

Both share a Week 14 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

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: Antonio Gibson (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?

  • Antonio Gibson outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Antonio Gibson scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Antonio Gibson vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAntonio GibsonJaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)7.96.9
Games Played1515
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)119104
Rushing Yards548382
Rush Yds/Game36.525.5
Rushing TDs32
Receptions2422
Receiving Yards195168
Targets00
Total TDs43
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 14

Summary

7.9 PPG for Antonio Gibson versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors Antonio Gibson, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Antonio Gibson or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Antonio Gibson has the edge at 7.9 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Antonio Gibson and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?

Antonio Gibson averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

Do Antonio Gibson and Jaleel McLaughlin share a bye week?

Yes, both Antonio Gibson and Jaleel McLaughlin share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Antonio Gibson or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Antonio Gibson outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.0 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.