Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Austin Ekeler is the better play on a neutral week. 9.0 PPG with 785 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaleel McLaughlin at 6.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Austin Ekeler higher, but do not fade Jaleel McLaughlin entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

9.0 PPG6.9 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: 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, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Jaleel McLaughlin for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 for the Denver Broncos (15 games).

That 2.1-point weekly advantage for Austin Ekeler is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a more traditional rusher with 382 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

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: Austin Ekeler (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?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Ekeler scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	6.9
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	104
Rushing Yards	425	382
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	25.5
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	45	22
Receiving Yards	360	168
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 2.1 points per game above Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

Do Austin Ekeler and Jaleel McLaughlin share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Austin Ekeler 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 Austin Ekeler or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 2.1 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.