Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ashton Jeanty vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Ashton Jeanty's 12.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.0 PPG and 1,963 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Ashton Jeanty (12.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Ashton Jeanty as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#17

Ashton Jeanty

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

975

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

346

Bye

Week 13

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Ashton Jeanty

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

12.8 PPG20.0 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ashton Jeanty vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders, 12.8 PPG) by 7.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Jonathan Taylor carries a 7.2-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Ashton Jeanty caught 55 balls for 346 yards, and Jonathan Taylor hauled in 46 for 378. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 13 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ashton Jeanty is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Ashton Jeanty by a projected 122 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Ashton Jeanty caught 55 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Ashton Jeanty is 5 years younger than Jonathan Taylor (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 13 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ashton Jeanty	Jonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	20.0
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	340
Rushing Yards	975	1,585
Rush Yds/Game	57.4	93.2
Rushing TDs	5	18
Receptions	55	46
Receiving Yards	346	378
Targets	73	55
Total TDs	10	20
Age	22	27
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonathan Taylor holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.0 points per game. Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ashton Jeanty or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Ashton Jeanty's 12.8 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 Ashton Jeanty and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.2 points per game.

Do Ashton Jeanty and Jonathan Taylor share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Ashton Jeanty and Jonathan Taylor share a Week 13 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Ashton Jeanty by 7.2 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.