Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.4 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

Dameon Pierce is the better play on a neutral week. 6.4 PPG with 450 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dylan Sampson at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Dameon Pierce higher, but do not fade Dylan Sampson entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Dameon Pierce

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

6.4 PPG4.7 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dameon Pierce vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dameon Pierce and Dylan Sampson for your lineup, you are not alone. Dameon Pierce finished the 2025 season at 6.4 PPG for the Houston Texans (13 games), and Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 for the Cleveland Browns (15 games).

That 1.7-point weekly advantage for Dameon Pierce 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns; Dylan Sampson posted 175 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Dameon Pierce has his bye in Week 14, and Dylan Sampson rests in Week 10. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Dameon Pierce (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Dameon Pierce outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 29 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dameon Pierce scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	4.7
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	71
Rushing Yards	342	175
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	11.7
Rushing TDs	2	0
Receptions	15	33
Receiving Yards	108	271
Targets	0	40
Total TDs	2	2
Age	-	21
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Dameon Pierce at 6.4 PPG, 1.7 points per game above Dylan Sampson's 4.7. 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 Dameon Pierce or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dameon Pierce has the edge at 6.4 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Dameon Pierce and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.7 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dameon Pierce or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce outscored Dylan Sampson by 1.7 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.