Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Audric Estimé vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Audric Estimé is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.4 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Audric Estimé is the better fantasy play this season.

Audric Estimé has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (8.4 to 6.9), and Audric Estimé's 1 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jaleel McLaughlin is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Audric Estimé and Jaleel McLaughlin in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBNew Orleans Saints#35PPG LEADER

Audric Estimé

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

198

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

103

Bye

Week 8

RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Audric Estimé

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

8.4 PPG6.9 PPG

5 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Audric Estimé is producing at 38% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. That ranking gap means Audric Estimé carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Audric Estimé vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

Audric Estimé and Jaleel McLaughlin are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 PPG across 5 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Jaleel McLaughlin posted 6.9 PPG in 15 appearances for the Denver Broncos.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Audric Estimé the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Audric Estimé ran for 198 yards and 1 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.

Audric Estimé has his bye in Week 8, and Jaleel McLaughlin rests in Week 14. 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

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: Audric Estimé (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Audric Estimé outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaleel McLaughlin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Audric Estimé vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Audric Estimé	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	6.9
Games Played	5	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	42	104
Rushing Yards	198	382
Rush Yds/Game	39.6	25.5
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	12	22
Receiving Yards	103	168
Targets	13	0
Total TDs	1	3
Age	22	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

Audric Estimé outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (8.4 to 6.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Audric Estimé vs Jaleel McLaughlin

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Audric Estimé vs Jaleel McLaughlin

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Audric Estimé or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Audric Estimé has the edge at 8.4 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 Audric Estimé and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Audric Estimé or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.5 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.