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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin or Zach CharbonnetWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Zach Charbonnet over Jaleel McLaughlin in 2026.

Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG in 2025 to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9, a 3.8 point per game edge. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Zach Charbonnet is the better play on a neutral week. 10.7 PPG with 874 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaleel McLaughlin at 6.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Zach Charbonnet higher, but do not fade Jaleel McLaughlin entirely.

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

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RBDenver Broncos

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

RBSeattle Seahawks#28PPG LEADER

Zach Charbonnet

PPG

10.7

Games

Rush Yds

730

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

144

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jaleel McLaughlin

Zach Charbonnet

Head to Head

6.9 PPG10.7 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: Unranked RB. Zach Charbonnet: Tier 5 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Zach Charbonnet at 49%. That per-game gap means Zach Charbonnet carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Zach Charbonnet: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Jaleel McLaughlin and Zach Charbonnet is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos running back put up 6.9 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks averaged 10.7 in 16. A 3.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.8 points favors Zach Charbonnet, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns; Zach Charbonnet posted 730 and 12. 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 Zach Charbonnet is off Week 11. 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

Zach Charbonnet is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaleel McLaughlin is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Zach Charbonnet (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Zach Charbonnet outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Charbonnet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 15. That durability gap means Zach Charbonnet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Charbonnet scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Zach Charbonnet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Zach Charbonnet
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	10.7
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	171
Rushing Yards	382	730
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	45.6
Rushing TDs	2	12
Receptions	22	20
Receiving Yards	168	144
Targets	0	24
Total TDs	3	12
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

10.7 PPG for Zach Charbonnet versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors Zach Charbonnet, 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 Zach Charbonnet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Charbonnet has the edge at 10.7 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.

Should I draft Jaleel McLaughlin or Zach Charbonnet in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Zach Charbonnet is the earlier pick. He averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9, a 3.8 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Jaleel McLaughlin and Zach Charbonnet average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Zach Charbonnet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14, and Zach Charbonnet (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaleel McLaughlin or Zach Charbonnet a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Zach Charbonnet outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 3.8 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.