Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.2-PPG advantage is real (6.9 to 4.7), and Jaleel McLaughlin's 3 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Dylan Sampson and Jaleel McLaughlin in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

RBDenver Broncos#99PPG LEADER

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Dylan Sampson

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

4.7 PPG6.9 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: 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 Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dylan Sampson vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns) finished the 2025 season averaging 4.7 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Jaleel McLaughlin (Denver Broncos) came in at 6.9 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jaleel McLaughlin carries a 2.2-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined touchdowns; Jaleel McLaughlin posted 382 and 2. 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 Jaleel McLaughlin Week 14. 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. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 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 Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	6.9
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	104
Rushing Yards	175	382
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	25.5
Rushing TDs	0	2
Receptions	33	22
Receiving Yards	271	168
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	2	3
Age	21	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaleel McLaughlin holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.9 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Dylan Sampson vs Jaleel McLaughlin

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Dylan Sampson vs Jaleel McLaughlin

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge at 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Dylan Sampson by 2.2 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.