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De'Von Achane vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

De'Von Achane is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.1 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

De'Von Achane is the better fantasy play this season.

De'Von Achane is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 18.1 PPG and 1,838 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Dylan Sampson (4.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster De'Von Achane as the starter and Dylan Sampson as depth.

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

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RBMiami Dolphins#5PPG LEADER
De'Von Achane
PPG
18.1
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,350
Rush TDs
8
Rec
67
Rec Yds
488
Bye
Week 6
RBCleveland Browns#99
Dylan Sampson
PPG
4.7
Games
15
Rush Yds
175
Rec
33
Rec Yds
271
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
De'Von Achane
Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

18.1 PPG4.7 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

De'Von Achane: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #5 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, De'Von Achane is producing at 82% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. That ranking gap means De'Von Achane carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

De'Von Achane vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins) averaged 18.1 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 13.4 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

De'Von Achane carries a 13.4-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.

De'Von Achane is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 67 targets into 488 yards, while Dylan Sampson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 175 rushing yards and undefined touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats De'Von Achane carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: De'Von Achane is off Week 6 and Dylan Sampson Week 10. 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 De'Von Achane at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Dylan Sampson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: De'Von Achane (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • De'Von Achane outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 228 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • De'Von Achane played 16 games in 2025 compared to Dylan Sampson's 15. That durability gap means De'Von Achane contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • De'Von Achane scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • De'Von Achane caught 67 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

De'Von Achane vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDe'Von AchaneDylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)18.14.7
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)29071
Rushing Yards1,350175
Rush Yds/Game84.411.7
Rushing TDs80
Receptions6733
Receiving Yards488271
Targets8540
Total TDs122
Age2421
Experience2 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, De'Von Achane holds the PPG edge with strong output at 18.1 points per game. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 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 De'Von Achane or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, De'Von Achane has the edge at 18.1 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 De'Von Achane and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?

De'Von Achane averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 13.4 points per game.

When are De'Von Achane and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?

De'Von Achane (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is De'Von Achane or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?

De'Von Achane outscored Dylan Sampson by 13.4 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.