Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

Christian McCaffrey is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 21.5 PPG and 2,126 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Dylan Sampson (4.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and Dylan Sampson as depth.

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

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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

Bye

Week 8

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

21.5 PPG4.7 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Christian McCaffrey is producing at 98% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Christian McCaffrey put up 21.5 fantasy points per game for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, while Dylan Sampson managed 4.7 across 15 games with the Cleveland Browns. A 16.8-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Christian McCaffrey carries a 16.8-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.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Dylan Sampson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 175 rushing yards and undefined touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Christian McCaffrey sits Week 8 while Dylan Sampson is off Week 10. 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 Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Dylan Sampson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 286 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dylan Sampson's 15. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Dylan Sampson is 8 years younger than Christian McCaffrey (21 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Christian McCaffrey	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	21.5	4.7
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	366	71
Rushing Yards	1,202	175
Rush Yds/Game	70.7	11.7
Rushing TDs	10	0
Receptions	102	33
Receiving Yards	924	271
Targets	129	40
Total TDs	17	2
Age	29	21
Experience	8 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 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 Christian McCaffrey or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 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 Christian McCaffrey and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 16.8 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Dylan Sampson by 16.8 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.