Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Carter is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.3 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Carter is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Michael Carter edges Devin Neal by 0.6 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Michael Carter goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

RBArizona Cardinals#51PPG LEADER

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Michael Carter

Head to Head

5.7 PPG6.3 PPG

9 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Michael Carter carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

Devin Neal (5.7 PPG) and Michael Carter (6.3 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; Michael Carter suited up 13 times for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 0.6-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; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. 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 Michael Carter 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. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Michael Carter outscored Devin Neal by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Carter played 13 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Michael Carter contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Devin Neal scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Michael Carter caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Devin Neal is 5 years younger than Michael Carter (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Devin Neal vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	6.3
Games Played	9	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	82
Rushing Yards	206	333
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	25.6
Rushing TDs	2	1
Receptions	17	33
Receiving Yards	104	267
Targets	19	45
Total TDs	2	1
Age	22	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Michael Carter holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.3 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Carter has the edge at 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Devin Neal or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Michael Carter outscored Devin Neal by 0.6 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.