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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce or Samaje PerineWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Samaje Perine over Dameon Pierce in 2026.

Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) and Dameon Pierce (6.4) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Samaje Perine edges Dameon Pierce by 0.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Samaje Perine goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBHouston Texans

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

RBKansas City ChiefsPPG LEADER

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Dameon Pierce

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

6.4 PPG6.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: Unranked RB. Samaje Perine: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dameon Pierce vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Dameon Pierce (6.4 PPG) and Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Dameon Pierce played 13 games for the Houston Texans; Samaje Perine suited up 15 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dameon Pierce sits Week 14 while Samaje Perine is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Samaje Perine outscored Dameon Pierce by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Samaje Perine scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	6.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	98
Rushing Yards	342	285
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	19.0
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	15	24
Receiving Yards	108	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Samaje Perine holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.5 points per game. Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Samaje Perine has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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.

Should I draft Dameon Pierce or Samaje Perine in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Samaje Perine and Dameon Pierce come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Dameon Pierce's 6.4, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Dameon Pierce and Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dameon Pierce or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine outscored Dameon Pierce by 0.1 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.