Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Javonte WilliamsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Javonte Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.1 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Javonte Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Javonte Williams is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.1 PPG and 1,338 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Javonte Williams as the starter and Jaleel McLaughlin as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

RBDallas Cowboys#12PPG LEADER

Javonte Williams

PPG

14.1

Games

Rush Yds

1,201

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

137

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Javonte Williams

Head to Head

6.9 PPG14.1 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Javonte Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #12 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Javonte Williams at 64%. That ranking gap means Javonte Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Javonte Williams: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Javonte Williams put up 14.1 fantasy points per game for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, while Jaleel McLaughlin managed 6.9 across 15 games with the Denver Broncos. A 7.2-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 7.2-PPG gap gives Javonte Williams the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Javonte Williams posted 1201 and 11. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 14 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Javonte Williams at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jaleel McLaughlin is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Javonte Williams (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Javonte Williams outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 122 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Javonte Williams played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Javonte Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Javonte Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Javonte Williams caught 35 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Javonte Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Javonte Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	14.1
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	226
Rushing Yards	382	1,201
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	75.1
Rushing TDs	2	11
Receptions	22	35
Receiving Yards	168	137
Targets	0	51
Total TDs	3	13
Age	-	26
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

Javonte Williams outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 7.2 PPG in 2025 (14.1 to 6.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Javonte Williams in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Javonte Williams has the edge at 14.1 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Javonte Williams averaged 14.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 7.2 points per game.

Do Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Javonte Williams a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Javonte Williams outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 7.2 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.