D'Andre Swift vs Zach Charbonnet: Who Should You Start?
D'Andre Swift and Zach Charbonnet are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 PPG across 16 games with the Chicago Bears, while Zach Charbonnet posted 10.7 PPG in 16 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.
A 2.5-PPG gap gives D'Andre Swift the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 touchdowns; Zach Charbonnet posted 730 and 12. 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: D'Andre Swift sits Week 7 while Zach Charbonnet is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.