Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ashton Jeanty vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Ashton Jeanty is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 12.8 PPG and 1,321 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Michael Carter (6.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Ashton Jeanty as the starter and Michael Carter 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#17PPG LEADER

Ashton Jeanty

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

975

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

346

Bye

Week 13

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Ashton Jeanty

Michael Carter

Head to Head

12.8 PPG6.3 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Ashton Jeanty carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ashton Jeanty vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Ashton Jeanty put up 12.8 fantasy points per game for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, while Michael Carter managed 6.3 across 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals. A 6.5-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Ashton Jeanty carries a 6.5-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.

Ashton Jeanty is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 55 targets into 346 yards, while Michael Carter profiles as a more traditional rusher with 333 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Ashton Jeanty carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ashton Jeanty sits Week 13 while Michael Carter is off Week 14. 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 Ashton Jeanty at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Michael Carter 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. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ashton Jeanty outscored Michael Carter by a projected 111 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ashton Jeanty played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Ashton Jeanty contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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 Michael Carter (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ashton Jeanty	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	6.3
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	82
Rushing Yards	975	333
Rush Yds/Game	57.4	25.6
Rushing TDs	5	1
Receptions	55	33
Receiving Yards	346	267
Targets	73	45
Total TDs	10	1
Age	22	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ashton Jeanty holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 6.5 points per game.

When are Ashton Jeanty and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty outscored Michael Carter by 6.5 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.