Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Josh Jacobs outscored Dylan Sampson by 9.9 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Josh Jacobs 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.

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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dylan Sampson

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

4.7 PPG14.6 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dylan Sampson vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 9.9 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 9.9-point weekly advantage for Josh Jacobs 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. 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 Josh Jacobs Week 11. 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

Josh Jacobs 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. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 168 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Dylan Sampson is 7 years younger than Josh Jacobs (21 vs 28), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	14.6
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	219
Rushing Yards	175	929
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	61.9
Rushing TDs	0	13
Receptions	33	36
Receiving Yards	271	282
Targets	40	44
Total TDs	2	14
Age	21	28
Experience	1 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Josh Jacobs at 14.6 PPG, 9.9 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 9.9 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Dylan Sampson by 9.9 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.