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D'Andre Swift vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

D'Andre Swift is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.2 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

D'Andre Swift is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. D'Andre Swift outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 6.3 PPG in 2025 with 10 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, D'Andre Swift is the clear pick. Jaleel McLaughlin 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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RBChicago Bears#16PPG LEADER
D'Andre Swift
PPG
13.2
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,087
Rush TDs
9
Rec
34
Rec Yds
299
Bye
Week 10
RBDenver Broncos#99
Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG
6.9
Games
15
Rush Yds
382
Rush TDs
2
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
D'Andre Swift
Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

13.2 PPG6.9 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

D'Andre Swift: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #16 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, D'Andre Swift is producing at 60% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. That ranking gap means D'Andre Swift carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

D'Andre Swift vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears) averaged 13.2 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Jaleel McLaughlin (Denver Broncos, 6.9 PPG) by 6.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 6.3 points favors D'Andre Swift, 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 touchdowns; Jaleel McLaughlin posted 382 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: D'Andre Swift is off Week 10 and Jaleel McLaughlin Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

D'Andre Swift is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaleel McLaughlin is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: D'Andre Swift (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • D'Andre Swift outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 107 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • D'Andre Swift played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means D'Andre Swift contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • D'Andre Swift scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • D'Andre Swift caught 34 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

D'Andre Swift vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatD'Andre SwiftJaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)13.26.9
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)211104
Rushing Yards1,087382
Rush Yds/Game67.925.5
Rushing TDs92
Receptions3422
Receiving Yards299168
Targets480
Total TDs103
Age27-
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 14

Summary

13.2 PPG for D'Andre Swift versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors D'Andre Swift, 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 D'Andre Swift or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, D'Andre Swift has the edge at 13.2 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 D'Andre Swift and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 6.3 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?

D'Andre Swift outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 6.3 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.

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