Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Audric Estimé vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Audric Estimé's 8.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Audric Estimé by 11.6 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Audric Estimé profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#35

Audric Estimé

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

198

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

103

Bye

Week 8

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

Audric Estimé

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

8.4 PPG20.0 PPG

5 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Audric Estimé is producing at 38% 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.

Audric Estimé vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jonathan Taylor put up 20.0 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while Audric Estimé managed 8.4 across 5 games with the New Orleans Saints. A 11.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

The per-game difference of 11.6 points favors Jonathan Taylor, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Audric Estimé profiles as a more traditional rusher with 198 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Audric Estimé sits Week 8 while Jonathan Taylor is off Week 13. 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

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Audric Estimé is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Audric Estimé (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 Audric Estimé by a projected 197 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Audric Estimé is 5 years younger than Jonathan Taylor (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Audric Estimé vs Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Audric Estimé	Jonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	20.0
Games Played	5	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	42	340
Rushing Yards	198	1,585
Rush Yds/Game	39.6	93.2
Rushing TDs	1	18
Receptions	12	46
Receiving Yards	103	378
Targets	13	55
Total TDs	1	20
Age	22	27
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 13

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 8.4 for Audric Estimé in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, 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 Audric Estimé or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Audric Estimé's 8.4 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 Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 11.6 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Audric Estimé or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Audric Estimé by 11.6 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.