Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Jerome FordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jerome Ford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.4 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jerome Ford is the better fantasy play this season.

Jerome Ford is the better play on a neutral week. 8.4 PPG with 797 yards gives a reliable baseline. Devin Neal at 5.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jerome Ford higher, but do not fade Devin Neal entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

RBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

5.7 PPG8.4 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Jerome Ford: 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 Jerome Ford at 38%. That ranking gap means Devin Neal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Devin Neal and Jerome Ford is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The New Orleans Saints running back put up 5.7 PPG in 2025 over 9 games; Jerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns averaged 8.4 in 15. A 2.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.7 points favors Jerome Ford, 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. Devin Neal ran for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jerome Ford posted 582 and 3. 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 Jerome Ford 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.

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

Did You Know?

•Jerome Ford outscored Devin Neal by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerome Ford played 15 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Jerome Ford contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jerome Ford scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Devin Neal vs Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	8.4
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	126
Rushing Yards	206	582
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	38.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	17	28
Receiving Yards	104	215
Targets	19	0
Total TDs	2	4
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 10

Summary

8.4 PPG for Jerome Ford versus 5.7 for Devin Neal in 2025. The baseline favors Jerome Ford, 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 Devin Neal or Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jerome Ford has the edge at 8.4 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 Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jerome Ford (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jerome Ford outscored Devin Neal by 2.7 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.