Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyren Williams is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.4 PPG and 1,533 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 Kyren 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

RBLos Angeles Rams#11PPG LEADER

Kyren Williams

PPG

14.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,252

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Kyren Williams

Head to Head

6.9 PPG14.4 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Kyren Williams at 65%. That ranking gap means Kyren Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kyren Williams: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Kyren Williams put up 14.4 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, while Jaleel McLaughlin managed 6.9 across 15 games with the Denver Broncos. A 7.5-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Kyren Williams carries a 7.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Kyren Williams posted 1252 and 10. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaleel McLaughlin sits Week 14 while Kyren Williams is off Week 11. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Kyren 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. Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kyren Williams outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 128 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyren Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Kyren Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kyren Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kyren Williams caught 36 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 Kyren Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Kyren Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	14.4
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	245
Rushing Yards	382	1,252
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	73.6
Rushing TDs	2	10
Receptions	22	36
Receiving Yards	168	281
Targets	0	50
Total TDs	3	13
Age	-	25
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Kyren Williams holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.4 points per game. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyren Williams has the edge at 14.4 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 Kyren Williams average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.5 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Kyren Williams's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Kyren Williams (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Kyren Williams outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 7.5 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.