Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jaylen WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jaylen Warren outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 5.4 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jaylen Warren is the clear pick. Jaleel McLaughlin 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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RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Jaylen Warren

Head to Head

6.9 PPG12.3 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Jaylen Warren at 56%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jaylen Warren: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jaleel McLaughlin and Jaylen Warren is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos running back put up 6.9 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 12.3 in 16. A 5.4-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.4 points favors Jaylen Warren, 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.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a more traditional rusher with 382 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Jaleel McLaughlin has his bye in Week 14, and Jaylen Warren rests in Week 9. 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

Jaylen Warren is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaleel McLaughlin is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 92 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jaylen Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Jaylen Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	12.3
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	197
Rushing Yards	382	958
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	59.9
Rushing TDs	2	6
Receptions	22	40
Receiving Yards	168	333
Targets	0	45
Total TDs	3	8
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

12.3 PPG for Jaylen Warren versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors Jaylen Warren, 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 Jaleel McLaughlin or Jaylen Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Jaylen Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Jaylen Warren a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 5.4 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.