Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Ray Davis's 7.8 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. Ray Davis (7.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and Ray Davis 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

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ray Davis

PPG

7.8

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

Ray Davis

Head to Head

21.5 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Ray Davis: 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 Ray Davis at 35%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Ray Davis: 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 Ray Davis managed 7.8 across 15 games with the Buffalo Bills. A 13.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Christian McCaffrey carries a 13.7-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 Ray Davis profiles as a more traditional rusher with 425 rushing yards and 3 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 Ray Davis is off Week 12. 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. Ray Davis 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. Ray Davis (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Ray Davis by a projected 233 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ray Davis'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey vs Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Christian McCaffrey	Ray Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)	21.5	7.8
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	366	117
Rushing Yards	1,202	425
Rush Yds/Game	70.7	28.3
Rushing TDs	10	3
Receptions	102	22
Receiving Yards	924	168
Targets	129	0
Total TDs	17	4
Age	29	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 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 Ray Davis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Ray Davis's 7.8 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 Ray Davis average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 13.7 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Ray Davis by 13.7 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.