Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth Walker IIIWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Walker III is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.4 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Walker III is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kenneth Walker III outscored Dylan Sampson by 5.7 PPG in 2025 with 5 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kenneth Walker III 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

RBSeattle Seahawks#29PPG LEADER

Kenneth Walker III

PPG

10.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,027

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Dylan Sampson

Kenneth Walker III

Head to Head

4.7 PPG10.4 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kenneth Walker III: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Kenneth Walker III at 47%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Walker III carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth Walker III: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dylan Sampson and Kenneth Walker III is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cleveland Browns running back put up 4.7 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 10.4 in 17. A 5.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.7 points favors Kenneth Walker III, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined touchdowns; Kenneth Walker III posted 1027 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Dylan Sampson has his bye in Week 10, and Kenneth Walker III rests in Week 11. 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

Kenneth Walker III 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. Kenneth Walker III (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Walker III outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 97 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Walker III played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dylan Sampson's 15. That durability gap means Kenneth Walker III contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kenneth Walker III scored 5 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.
•Dylan Sampson is 4 years younger than Kenneth Walker III (21 vs 25), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Kenneth Walker III: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Kenneth Walker III
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	10.4
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	177
Rushing Yards	175	1,027
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	60.4
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	33	31
Receiving Yards	271	282
Targets	40	36
Total TDs	2	5
Age	21	25
Experience	1 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

10.4 PPG for Kenneth Walker III versus 4.7 for Dylan Sampson in 2025. The baseline favors Kenneth Walker III, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Kenneth Walker III in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Walker III has the edge at 10.4 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 Kenneth Walker III average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kenneth Walker III averaged 10.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.7 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Kenneth Walker III's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Kenneth Walker III (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Kenneth Walker III a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Walker III outscored Dylan Sampson by 5.7 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.