Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs RJ HarveyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

RJ Harvey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

RJ Harvey is the better fantasy play this season.

RJ Harvey has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.9-PPG advantage is real (10.8 to 6.9), and RJ Harvey's 12 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jaleel McLaughlin is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

RBDenver Broncos#27PPG LEADER

RJ Harvey

PPG

10.8

Games

Rush Yds

540

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

356

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

RJ Harvey

Head to Head

6.9 PPG10.8 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). RJ Harvey: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and RJ Harvey at 49%. That ranking gap means RJ Harvey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs RJ Harvey: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jaleel McLaughlin (Denver Broncos) finished the 2025 season averaging 6.9 fantasy points per game in 15 games. RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos) came in at 10.8 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

RJ Harvey carries a 3.9-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.

RJ Harvey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 47 targets into 356 yards, while Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a more traditional rusher with 382 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats RJ Harvey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaleel McLaughlin sits Week 14 while RJ Harvey is off Week 10. 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 RJ Harvey 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. RJ Harvey (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•RJ Harvey outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•RJ Harvey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means RJ Harvey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•RJ Harvey scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•RJ Harvey caught 47 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 RJ Harvey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	RJ Harvey
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	10.8
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	184
Rushing Yards	382	540
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	31.8
Rushing TDs	2	7
Receptions	22	47
Receiving Yards	168	356
Targets	0	58
Total TDs	3	12
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, RJ Harvey holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 10.8 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 RJ Harvey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, RJ Harvey has the edge at 10.8 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 RJ Harvey average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. RJ Harvey averaged 10.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and RJ Harvey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and RJ Harvey (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or RJ Harvey a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

RJ Harvey outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 3.9 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.