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Head to Head

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Dylan Sampson vs Gus EdwardsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gus Edwards is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gus Edwards is the better fantasy play this season.

Gus Edwards has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.3-PPG advantage is real (7.0 to 4.7), and Gus Edwards's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Dylan Sampson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBCleveland Browns#99
Dylan Sampson
PPG
4.7
Games
15
Rush Yds
175
Rec
33
Rec Yds
271
Bye
Week 10
RBLos Angeles Chargers#99PPG LEADER
Gus Edwards
PPG
7.0
Games
13
Rush Yds
468
Rush TDs
4
Rec
10
Rec Yds
62
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dylan Sampson
Gus Edwards

Head to Head

4.7 PPG7.0 PPG
15 GP13 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Gus Edwards: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Gus Edwards at 32%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dylan Sampson vs Gus Edwards: The Full Breakdown

Dylan Sampson and Gus Edwards are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG across 15 games with the Cleveland Browns, while Gus Edwards posted 7.0 PPG in 13 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 2.3-PPG gap gives Gus Edwards 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined touchdowns; Gus Edwards posted 468 and 4. 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: Dylan Sampson is off Week 10 and Gus Edwards Week 5. 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

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: Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Gus Edwards (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Gus Edwards outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Gus Edwards's 13. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Gus Edwards scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Gus Edwards: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDylan SampsonGus Edwards
PPG (Half-PPR)4.77.0
Games Played1513
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)7191
Rushing Yards175468
Rush Yds/Game11.736.0
Rushing TDs04
Receptions3310
Receiving Yards27162
Targets400
Total TDs24
Age21-
Experience1 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 5

Summary

Gus Edwards outscored Dylan Sampson by 2.3 PPG in 2025 (7.0 to 4.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Gus Edwards in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Gus Edwards has the edge at 7.0 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 Dylan Sampson and Gus Edwards average in 2025?

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Gus Edwards's bye weeks in 2026?

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Gus Edwards (LAC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Gus Edwards a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Gus Edwards outscored Dylan Sampson by 2.3 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.