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Head to Head

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Christian McCaffrey vs Ty ChandlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Ty Chandler's 5.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Christian McCaffrey outscored Ty Chandler by 15.6 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Christian McCaffrey is the clear pick. Ty Chandler profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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
17
Rush Yds
1,202
Rush TDs
10
Rec
102
Rec Yds
924
Bye
Week 8
RBMinnesota Vikings#99
Ty Chandler
PPG
5.9
Games
14
Rush Yds
265
Rush TDs
2
Rec
18
Rec Yds
135
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Christian McCaffrey
Ty Chandler

Head to Head

21.5 PPG5.9 PPG
17 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Ty Chandler: 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 Ty Chandler at 27%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Ty Chandler: The Full Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey and Ty Chandler are at different tiers heading into 2026. The San Francisco 49ers running back averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025, a full 15.6 points per game ahead of Ty Chandler's 5.9 with the Minnesota Vikings. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 15.6 points favors Christian McCaffrey, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Ty Chandler profiles as a more traditional rusher with 265 rushing yards and 2 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 Ty Chandler rests in Week 6. 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

Christian McCaffrey is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ty Chandler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Ty Chandler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Christian McCaffrey outscored Ty Chandler by a projected 265 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ty Chandler'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 Ty Chandler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatChristian McCaffreyTy Chandler
PPG (Half-PPR)21.55.9
Games Played1714
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)36683
Rushing Yards1,202265
Rush Yds/Game70.718.9
Rushing TDs102
Receptions10218
Receiving Yards924135
Targets1290
Total TDs173
Age29-
Experience8 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 6

Summary

21.5 PPG for Christian McCaffrey versus 5.9 for Ty Chandler in 2025. The baseline favors Christian McCaffrey, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Christian McCaffrey or Ty Chandler in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Ty Chandler's 5.9 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 Ty Chandler average in 2025?

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ty Chandler averaged 5.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 15.6 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Ty Chandler's bye weeks in 2026?

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Ty Chandler (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Ty Chandler a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Christian McCaffrey outscored Ty Chandler by 15.6 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.