DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Dylan Sampson by 15.3 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Dylan Sampson profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Dylan Sampson and Jonathan Taylor in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
RBCleveland Browns#99
Dylan Sampson
PPG
4.7
Games
15
Rush Yds
175
Rec
33
Rec Yds
271
Bye
Week 10
RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER
Jonathan Taylor
PPG
20.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Dylan Sampson
Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

4.7 PPG20.0 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dylan Sampson vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor and Dylan Sampson are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 15.3 points per game ahead of Dylan Sampson's 4.7 with the Cleveland Browns. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 15.3-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Dylan Sampson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 175 rushing yards and undefined touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Dylan Sampson has his bye in Week 10, and Jonathan Taylor rests in Week 13. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Dylan Sampson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 260 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dylan Sampson's 15. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Jonathan Taylor caught 46 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 Jonathan Taylor (21 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDylan SampsonJonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)4.720.0
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)71340
Rushing Yards1751,585
Rush Yds/Game11.793.2
Rushing TDs018
Receptions3346
Receiving Yards271378
Targets4055
Total TDs220
Age2127
Experience1 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 15.3 points per game above Dylan Sampson's 4.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Dylan Sampson vs Jonathan Taylor

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 Jonathan Taylor

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 Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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 Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 15.3 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Dylan Sampson by 15.3 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.