DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Roschon JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Roschon Johnson's 8.1 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. Roschon Johnson (8.1 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and Roschon Johnson as depth.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Christian McCaffrey and Roschon Johnson in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER
Christian McCaffrey
PPG
21.5
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,202
Rush TDs
10
Rec
102
Rec Yds
924
Bye
Week 8
RBChicago Bears#99
Roschon Johnson
PPG
8.1
Games
14
Rush Yds
445
Rush TDs
4
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Christian McCaffrey
Roschon Johnson

Head to Head

21.5 PPG8.1 PPG
17 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Roschon Johnson: 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 Roschon Johnson at 37%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Roschon Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey and Roschon Johnson are at different tiers heading into 2026. The San Francisco 49ers running back averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025, a full 13.4 points per game ahead of Roschon Johnson's 8.1 with the Chicago Bears. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

Christian McCaffrey carries a 13.4-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 Roschon Johnson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 445 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Christian McCaffrey has his bye in Week 8, and Roschon Johnson rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Roschon Johnson 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. Roschon Johnson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Christian McCaffrey outscored Roschon Johnson by a projected 228 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Roschon Johnson'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 Roschon Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatChristian McCaffreyRoschon Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)21.58.1
Games Played1714
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)366113
Rushing Yards1,202445
Rush Yds/Game70.731.8
Rushing TDs104
Receptions10222
Receiving Yards924168
Targets1290
Total TDs175
Age29-
Experience8 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. Roschon Johnson averaged 8.1 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Christian McCaffrey vs Roschon Johnson

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Christian McCaffrey vs Roschon Johnson

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Christian McCaffrey or Roschon Johnson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Roschon Johnson's 8.1 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 Roschon Johnson average in 2025?

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Roschon Johnson averaged 8.1 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 13.4 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Roschon Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Roschon Johnson (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Roschon Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Christian McCaffrey outscored Roschon Johnson by 13.4 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.