Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Trey BensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Trey Benson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Trey Benson is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Trey Benson edges Jaleel McLaughlin by 0.3 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, Trey Benson 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#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

RBArizona Cardinals#46PPG LEADER

Trey Benson

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

160

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Trey Benson

Head to Head

6.9 PPG7.2 PPG

15 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Trey Benson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #46 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Trey Benson at 33%. That ranking gap means Trey Benson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Trey Benson: The Full Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 PPG) and Trey Benson (7.2 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; Trey Benson suited up 4 times for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 0.3-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; Trey Benson posted 160 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 14 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. Trey Benson (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Trey Benson outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Trey Benson's 4. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Trey Benson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Trey Benson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	7.2
Games Played	15	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	29
Rushing Yards	382	160
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	40.0
Rushing TDs	2	0
Receptions	22	13
Receiving Yards	168	64
Targets	0	16
Total TDs	3	0
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Trey Benson holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.2 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 Trey Benson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Trey Benson has the edge at 7.2 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 Trey Benson average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Trey Benson averaged 7.2 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

Do Jaleel McLaughlin and Trey Benson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jaleel McLaughlin and Trey Benson share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Trey Benson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Trey Benson outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 0.3 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.