Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kareem HuntWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kareem Hunt is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kareem Hunt is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Kareem Hunt and Jaleel McLaughlin 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.

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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

RBKansas City Chiefs#39PPG LEADER

Kareem Hunt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

611

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

143

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Kareem Hunt

Head to Head

6.9 PPG8.0 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kareem Hunt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Kareem Hunt at 36%. That ranking gap means Kareem Hunt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kareem Hunt: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jaleel McLaughlin finished the 2025 season at 6.9 PPG over 15 games with the Denver Broncos, while Kareem Hunt clocked in at 8.0 across 17 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Kareem Hunt posted 611 and 8. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Jaleel McLaughlin is off Week 14 and Kareem Hunt Week 5. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Kareem Hunt (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Kareem Hunt outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kareem Hunt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Kareem Hunt contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kareem Hunt scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kareem Hunt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Kareem Hunt
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	8.0
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	136
Rushing Yards	382	611
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	35.9
Rushing TDs	2	8
Receptions	22	18
Receiving Yards	168	143
Targets	0	25
Total TDs	3	9
Age	-	30
Experience	-	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kareem Hunt at 8.0 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Kareem Hunt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kareem Hunt has the edge at 8.0 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 Kareem Hunt average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kareem Hunt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Kareem Hunt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Kareem Hunt (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Kareem Hunt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kareem Hunt outscored Jaleel McLaughlin 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.