Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cam Akers vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Cam Akers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Cam Akers is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Cam Akers edges Dylan Sampson by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Cam Akers goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBMinnesota Vikings#99PPG LEADER

Cam Akers

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

318

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 6

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Cam Akers

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

6.0 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Cam Akers: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Cam Akers is producing at 27% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cam Akers vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Cam Akers finished the 2025 season at 6.0 PPG over 13 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Dylan Sampson clocked in at 4.7 across 15 appearances for the Cleveland Browns. A 1.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Cam Akers ran for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns; Dylan Sampson posted 175 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Cam Akers is off Week 6 and Dylan Sampson Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Cam Akers (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Cam Akers outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Cam Akers's 13. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cam Akers scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cam Akers vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cam Akers	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.0	4.7
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	71
Rushing Yards	318	175
Rush Yds/Game	24.5	11.7
Rushing TDs	2	0
Receptions	14	33
Receiving Yards	98	271
Targets	0	40
Total TDs	2	2
Age	-	21
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Cam Akers holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.0 points per game. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 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 Cam Akers or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Cam Akers has the edge at 6.0 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Cam Akers and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Cam Akers averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Cam Akers and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cam Akers (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cam Akers or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Cam Akers outscored Dylan Sampson by 1.3 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.