Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (11.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and Rhamondre Stevenson 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

RBNew England Patriots#22

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

21.5 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Christian McCaffrey is producing at 98% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots, 11.6 PPG) by 9.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Christian McCaffrey carries a 9.9-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 Rhamondre Stevenson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 603 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Christian McCaffrey is off Week 8 and Rhamondre Stevenson Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Rhamondre Stevenson 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by a projected 168 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 14. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Christian McCaffrey	Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	21.5	11.6
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	366	162
Rushing Yards	1,202	603
Rush Yds/Game	70.7	43.1
Rushing TDs	10	7
Receptions	102	32
Receiving Yards	924	345
Targets	129	37
Total TDs	17	9
Age	29	28
Experience	8 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 9.9 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by 9.9 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.