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Head to Head

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Jaylen Warren vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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. Raheim Sanders (4.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jaylen Warren as the starter and Raheim Sanders 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
16
Rush Yds
958
Rush TDs
6
Rec
40
Rec Yds
333
Bye
Week 9
RBCleveland Browns#99
Raheim Sanders
PPG
4.7
Games
4
Rush Yds
92
Rush TDs
1
Rec
3
Rec Yds
21
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jaylen Warren
Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

12.3 PPG4.7 PPG
16 GP4 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Raheim Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaylen Warren is producing at 56% of elite pace and Raheim Sanders at 21%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Raheim Sanders: 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 Raheim Sanders managed 4.7 across 4 games with the Cleveland Browns. A 7.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Jaylen Warren carries a 7.6-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 Raheim Sanders profiles as a more traditional rusher with 92 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 Raheim Sanders 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 Jaylen Warren at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Raheim Sanders 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. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Jaylen Warren outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 129 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. 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.
  • Raheim Sanders is 4 years younger than Jaylen Warren (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Warren vs Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJaylen WarrenRaheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)12.34.7
Games Played164
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)19719
Rushing Yards95892
Rush Yds/Game59.923.0
Rushing TDs61
Receptions403
Receiving Yards33321
Targets454
Total TDs81
Age2723
Experience3 yrs1 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jaylen Warren holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.3 points per game. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders average in 2025?

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 7.6 points per game.

When are Jaylen Warren and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?

Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Raheim Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Warren or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jaylen Warren outscored Raheim Sanders by 7.6 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.

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