Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Michael Carter is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.3 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Michael Carter is the better fantasy play this season.

Michael Carter is the better play on a neutral week. 6.3 PPG with 600 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dylan Sampson at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Michael Carter higher, but do not fade Dylan Sampson entirely.

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

RBArizona Cardinals#51PPG LEADER

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Dylan Sampson

Michael Carter

Head to Head

4.7 PPG6.3 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Michael Carter carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Dylan Sampson vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Dylan Sampson and Michael Carter for your lineup, you are not alone. Dylan Sampson finished the 2025 season at 4.7 PPG for the Cleveland Browns (15 games), and Michael Carter averaged 6.3 for the Arizona Cardinals (13 games).

That 1.6-point weekly advantage for Michael Carter 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; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. 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 Michael Carter rests in Week 14. 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

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. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Michael Carter outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter'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.
•Michael Carter 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 Michael Carter (21 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	6.3
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	82
Rushing Yards	175	333
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	25.6
Rushing TDs	0	1
Receptions	33	33
Receiving Yards	271	267
Targets	40	45
Total TDs	2	1
Age	21	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Michael Carter at 6.3 PPG, 1.6 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Michael Carter has the edge at 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Dylan Sampson or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Michael Carter outscored Dylan Sampson by 1.6 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.