Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Ty JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.4 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Dameon Pierce edges Ty Johnson by 1.2 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, Dameon Pierce 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#99PPG LEADER

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Dameon Pierce

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

6.4 PPG5.2 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Johnson: 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 Ty Johnson at 24%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dameon Pierce vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Dameon Pierce and Ty Johnson is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 PPG with the Houston Texans across 13 games, and Ty Johnson posted 5.2 with the Buffalo Bills in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns; Ty Johnson posted 200 and 3. 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 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

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. Ty Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Dameon Pierce outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ty Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. That durability gap means Ty Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ty Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	5.2
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	88
Rushing Yards	342	200
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	11.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	15	24
Receiving Yards	108	263
Targets	0	33
Total TDs	2	5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

Dameon Pierce outscored Ty Johnson by 1.2 PPG in 2025 (6.4 to 5.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dameon Pierce or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dameon Pierce has the edge at 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Ty Johnson average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Ty Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Ty Johnson (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dameon Pierce or Ty Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce outscored Ty Johnson by 1.2 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.