Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Nick ChubbWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Nick Chubb's 5.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jaleel McLaughlin edges Nick Chubb by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Jaleel McLaughlin goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBDenver Broncos#99PPG LEADER

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

RBHouston Texans#59

Nick Chubb

PPG

5.5

Games

Rush Yds

506

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Nick Chubb

Head to Head

6.9 PPG5.5 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Nick Chubb: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #59 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Nick Chubb at 25%. That ranking gap means Nick Chubb carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Nick Chubb: The Full Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 PPG) and Nick Chubb (5.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games for the Denver Broncos; Nick Chubb suited up 15 times for the Houston Texans.

A 1.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Nick Chubb posted 506 and 3. 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 Nick Chubb is off Week 8. 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

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. Nick Chubb (age 30, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Nick Chubb by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Nick Chubb: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Nick Chubb
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	5.5
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	83
Rushing Yards	382	506
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	33.7
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	22	13
Receiving Yards	168	67
Targets	0	20
Total TDs	3	3
Age	-	30
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaleel McLaughlin holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.9 points per game. Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 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 Nick Chubb in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge at 6.9 PPG compared to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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 Nick Chubb average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Nick Chubb's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Nick Chubb (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Nick Chubb a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Nick Chubb by 1.4 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.