Jaleel McLaughlin vs Quinshon Judkins: The Full Breakdown
Jaleel McLaughlin and Quinshon Judkins 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 Quinshon Judkins posted 11.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.
A 4.3-PPG gap gives Quinshon Judkins 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; Quinshon Judkins posted 827 and 7. 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 Quinshon Judkins rests in Week 11. 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.
