De'Von Achane vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown
De'Von Achane and Jaleel McLaughlin are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Miami Dolphins running back averaged 18.1 PPG in 2025, a full 11.2 points per game ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 with the Denver Broncos. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
A 11.2-PPG gap gives De'Von Achane the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
De'Von Achane is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 67 targets into 488 yards, while Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a more traditional rusher with 382 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats De'Von Achane carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
De'Von Achane has his bye in Week 6, and Jaleel McLaughlin rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
