Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Emanuel Wilson vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Samaje Perine and Emanuel Wilson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Emanuel Wilson and Samaje Perine in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBGreen Bay Packers#60

Emanuel Wilson

PPG

5.4

Games

Rush Yds

496

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 11

RBKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Emanuel Wilson

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

5.4 PPG6.5 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Emanuel Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #60 at the position). Samaje Perine: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Emanuel Wilson is producing at 25% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. That ranking gap means Emanuel Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Emanuel Wilson vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Emanuel Wilson (5.4 PPG) and Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Emanuel Wilson played 16 games for the Green Bay Packers; Samaje Perine suited up 15 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 1.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Emanuel Wilson ran for 496 yards and 3 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Emanuel Wilson sits Week 11 while Samaje Perine is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Emanuel Wilson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Samaje Perine outscored Emanuel Wilson by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Emanuel Wilson played 16 games in 2025 compared to Samaje Perine's 15. That durability gap means Emanuel Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Emanuel Wilson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Emanuel Wilson vs Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Emanuel Wilson	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	6.5
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	98
Rushing Yards	496	285
Rush Yds/Game	31.0	19.0
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	15	24
Receiving Yards	99	182
Targets	17	0
Total TDs	3	3
Age	27	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 6

Summary

6.5 PPG for Samaje Perine versus 5.4 for Emanuel Wilson in 2025. The baseline favors Samaje Perine, 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Emanuel Wilson vs Samaje Perine

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 Emanuel Wilson vs Samaje Perine

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 Emanuel Wilson or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Samaje Perine has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 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 Emanuel Wilson and Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Emanuel Wilson averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Emanuel Wilson and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Emanuel Wilson (GB) has a bye in Week 11, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Emanuel Wilson or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine outscored Emanuel Wilson by 1.1 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.