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Head to Head

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

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Johnson by 16.3 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Christian McCaffrey is the clear pick. Ty Johnson 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
RBBuffalo Bills#99
Ty Johnson
PPG
5.2
Games
17
Rush Yds
200
Rush TDs
3
Rec
24
Rec Yds
263
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Christian McCaffrey
Ty Johnson

Head to Head

21.5 PPG5.2 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Ty 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 Ty Johnson at 24%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey and Ty Johnson are at different tiers heading into 2026. The San Francisco 49ers running back averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025, a full 16.3 points per game ahead of Ty Johnson's 5.2 with the Buffalo Bills. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 16.3-point weekly advantage for Christian McCaffrey is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Ty Johnson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 200 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.

Christian McCaffrey has his bye in Week 8, and Ty Johnson rests in Week 12. 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 Johnson 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 Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Christian McCaffrey outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 277 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • 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 Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatChristian McCaffreyTy Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)21.55.2
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)36688
Rushing Yards1,202200
Rush Yds/Game70.711.8
Rushing TDs103
Receptions10224
Receiving Yards924263
Targets12933
Total TDs175
Age2928
Experience8 yrs7 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Christian McCaffrey at 21.5 PPG, 16.3 points per game above Ty Johnson's 5.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Johnson average in 2025?

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 16.3 points per game.

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

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

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

Christian McCaffrey outscored Ty Johnson by 16.3 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.