Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Warren vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Warren is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 12.3 PPG and 1,291 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Michael Carter (6.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jaylen Warren as the starter and Michael Carter as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Warren

Michael Carter

Head to Head

12.3 PPG6.3 PPG

16 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaylen Warren is producing at 56% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jaylen Warren put up 12.3 fantasy points per game for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, while Michael Carter managed 6.3 across 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals. A 6.0-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Jaylen Warren carries a 6.0-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.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Michael Carter profiles as a more traditional rusher with 333 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaylen Warren sits Week 9 while Michael Carter is off Week 14. 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 Jaylen Warren at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Michael Carter is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Michael Carter by a projected 102 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Warren vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Warren	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	6.3
Games Played	16	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	197	82
Rushing Yards	958	333
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	25.6
Rushing TDs	6	1
Receptions	40	33
Receiving Yards	333	267
Targets	45	45
Total TDs	8	1
Age	27	27
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Warren holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.3 points per game. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 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 Jaylen Warren or Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Jaylen Warren and Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 6.0 points per game.

When are Jaylen Warren and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Warren or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Michael Carter by 6.0 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.