Christian McCaffrey vs Dylan Sampson: Who Should You Start?
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 9 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.
