Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Najee HarrisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Najee Harris is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Najee Harris is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Najee Harris outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 5.9 PPG in 2025 with 7 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Najee Harris 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#99PPG LEADER

Najee Harris

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,010

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

225

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Najee Harris

Head to Head

6.9 PPG12.8 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Najee Harris: 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 Najee Harris at 58%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Najee Harris: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Jaleel McLaughlin and Najee Harris for your lineup, you are not alone. Jaleel McLaughlin finished the 2025 season at 6.9 PPG for the Denver Broncos (15 games), and Najee Harris averaged 12.8 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games).

That 5.9-point weekly advantage for Najee Harris is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Najee Harris posted 1010 and 6. 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 Najee Harris Week 9. 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

Najee Harris 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. Najee Harris (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Najee Harris outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Najee Harris played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Najee Harris contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Najee Harris scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Najee Harris: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Najee Harris
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	12.8
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	218
Rushing Yards	382	1,010
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	59.4
Rushing TDs	2	6
Receptions	22	30
Receiving Yards	168	225
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	7
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Najee Harris at 12.8 PPG, 5.9 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 Najee Harris in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Najee Harris has the edge at 12.8 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 Najee Harris average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Najee Harris averaged 12.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Najee Harris's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Najee Harris a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Najee Harris outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 5.9 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.