Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Isiah PachecoWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Isiah Pacheco is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Isiah Pacheco edges Dylan Sampson by 1.3 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, Isiah Pacheco 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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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

RBKansas City Chiefs#54PPG LEADER

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Dylan Sampson

Isiah Pacheco

Head to Head

4.7 PPG6.0 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Isiah Pacheco at 27%. That ranking gap means Isiah Pacheco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dylan Sampson vs Isiah Pacheco: The Full Breakdown

Dylan Sampson (4.7 PPG) and Isiah Pacheco (6.0 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. Dylan Sampson played 15 games for the Cleveland Browns; Isiah Pacheco suited up 13 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 1.3-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. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined touchdowns; Isiah Pacheco posted 462 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: Dylan Sampson sits Week 10 while Isiah Pacheco is off Week 5. 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: Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Isiah Pacheco (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Isiah Pacheco outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Isiah Pacheco's 13. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dylan Sampson scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.1 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.
•Dylan Sampson is 6 years younger than Isiah Pacheco (21 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Isiah Pacheco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Isiah Pacheco
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	6.0
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	78
Rushing Yards	175	462
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	35.5
Rushing TDs	0	1
Receptions	33	19
Receiving Yards	271	101
Targets	40	26
Total TDs	2	2
Age	21	27
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 5

Summary

Isiah Pacheco outscored Dylan Sampson by 1.3 PPG in 2025 (6.0 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 Isiah Pacheco in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Isiah Pacheco has the edge at 6.0 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 Isiah Pacheco average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Isiah Pacheco's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Dylan Sampson or Isiah Pacheco a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco outscored Dylan Sampson by 1.3 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.