Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

Josh Jacobs is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.6 PPG and 1,211 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Devin Neal (5.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Josh Jacobs as the starter and Devin Neal as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

5.7 PPG14.6 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Devin Neal (New Orleans Saints, 5.7 PPG) by 8.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Josh Jacobs carries a 8.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Devin Neal ran for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. 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: Devin Neal is off Week 8 and Josh Jacobs Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Josh Jacobs at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Devin Neal is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Devin Neal by a projected 151 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Devin Neal is 6 years younger than Josh Jacobs (22 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Devin Neal vs Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	14.6
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	219
Rushing Yards	206	929
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	61.9
Rushing TDs	2	13
Receptions	17	36
Receiving Yards	104	282
Targets	19	44
Total TDs	2	14
Age	22	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Josh Jacobs holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.6 points per game. Devin Neal averaged 5.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Devin Neal or Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 8.9 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Devin Neal by 8.9 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.