Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gus Edwards vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Gus Edwards is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.0 PPG to Samaje Perine's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Gus Edwards is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Gus Edwards and Samaje Perine are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-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 Gus Edwards and Samaje Perine in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBLos Angeles Chargers#99PPG LEADER

Gus Edwards

PPG

7.0

Games

Rush Yds

468

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 5

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Gus Edwards

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

7.0 PPG6.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Gus Edwards: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Samaje Perine: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Gus Edwards is producing at 32% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Gus Edwards vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Gus Edwards and Samaje Perine is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 PPG with the Los Angeles Chargers across 13 games, and Samaje Perine posted 6.5 with the Kansas City Chiefs in 15.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Gus Edwards ran for 468 yards and 4 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.

Gus Edwards has his bye in Week 5, and Samaje Perine rests in Week 6. 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: Gus Edwards (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?

•Gus Edwards outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Gus Edwards's 13. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gus Edwards scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gus Edwards vs Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gus Edwards	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	6.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	91	98
Rushing Yards	468	285
Rush Yds/Game	36.0	19.0
Rushing TDs	4	2
Receptions	10	24
Receiving Yards	62	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	4	3
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 6

Summary

7.0 PPG for Gus Edwards versus 6.5 for Samaje Perine in 2025. The baseline favors Gus Edwards, 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 Gus Edwards 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 Gus Edwards 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 Gus Edwards or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Gus Edwards has the edge at 7.0 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Gus Edwards and Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Gus Edwards and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gus Edwards (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gus Edwards or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Gus Edwards outscored Samaje Perine by 0.5 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.