Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jerome FordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jerome Ford is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.4 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jerome Ford is the better fantasy play this season.

Jerome Ford has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (8.4 to 6.9), and Jerome Ford's 4 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jaleel McLaughlin is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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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

RBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

6.9 PPG8.4 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jerome Ford: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Jerome Ford at 38%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin and Jerome Ford are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG across 15 games with the Denver Broncos, while Jerome Ford posted 8.4 PPG in 15 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Jerome Ford 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; Jerome Ford posted 582 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Jaleel McLaughlin has his bye in Week 14, and Jerome Ford rests in Week 10. 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: Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jerome Ford (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jerome Ford outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerome Ford 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

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	8.4
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	126
Rushing Yards	382	582
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	38.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	22	28
Receiving Yards	168	215
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	4
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Jerome Ford outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (8.4 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 Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jerome Ford has the edge at 8.4 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 Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Jerome Ford (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jerome Ford outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.5 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.