Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jaleel McLaughlin and Devin Neal are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

RBDenver Broncos#99PPG LEADER

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

5.7 PPG6.9 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. That ranking gap means Devin Neal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

Devin Neal (5.7 PPG) and Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 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. Devin Neal played 9 games for the New Orleans Saints; Jaleel McLaughlin suited up 15 times for the Denver Broncos.

A 1.2-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. Devin Neal ran for 206 yards and 2 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Devin Neal sits Week 8 while Jaleel McLaughlin is off Week 14. 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: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Devin Neal by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaleel McLaughlin 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

Devin Neal vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	6.9
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	104
Rushing Yards	206	382
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	25.5
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	17	22
Receiving Yards	104	168
Targets	19	0
Total TDs	2	3
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaleel McLaughlin at 6.9 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Devin Neal's 5.7. 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 Devin Neal or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge at 6.9 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Devin Neal and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Devin Neal 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.