Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Woody MarksWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Woody Marks is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.3 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Woody Marks is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Woody Marks and Jaleel McLaughlin are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

RBHouston Texans#36PPG LEADER

Woody Marks

PPG

8.3

Games

Rush Yds

703

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

208

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Woody Marks

Head to Head

6.9 PPG8.3 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Woody Marks: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Woody Marks at 38%. That ranking gap means Woody Marks carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Woody Marks: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Jaleel McLaughlin finished the 2025 season at 6.9 PPG over 15 games with the Denver Broncos, while Woody Marks clocked in at 8.3 across 16 appearances for the Houston Texans. A 1.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Woody Marks posted 703 and 2. 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 Woody Marks Week 8. 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

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. Woody Marks (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Woody Marks outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Woody Marks played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Woody Marks contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Woody Marks scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Woody Marks: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Woody Marks
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	8.3
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	133
Rushing Yards	382	703
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	43.9
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	22	24
Receiving Yards	168	208
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	3	5
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

8.3 PPG for Woody Marks versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors Woody Marks, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Woody Marks in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Woody Marks has the edge at 8.3 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 Woody Marks average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Woody Marks's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Woody Marks a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Woody Marks outscored Jaleel McLaughlin 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.