Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Warren vs Zonovan KnightWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Zonovan Knight's 6.8 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. Zonovan Knight (6.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jaylen Warren as the starter and Zonovan Knight 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#99

Zonovan Knight

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

269

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

160

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Warren

Zonovan Knight

Head to Head

12.3 PPG6.8 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Zonovan Knight: 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 Zonovan Knight at 31%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Zonovan Knight: The Full Breakdown

Jaylen Warren and Zonovan Knight are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG across 16 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Zonovan Knight posted 6.8 PPG in 12 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 5.5-PPG gap gives Jaylen Warren the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Zonovan Knight profiles as a more traditional rusher with 269 rushing yards and 4 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 Zonovan Knight 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

If you can acquire Jaylen Warren at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Zonovan Knight 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. Zonovan Knight (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Zonovan Knight by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Zonovan Knight's 12. 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 Zonovan Knight: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Warren	Zonovan Knight
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	6.8
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	197	82
Rushing Yards	958	269
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	22.4
Rushing TDs	6	4
Receptions	40	22
Receiving Yards	333	160
Targets	45	31
Total TDs	8	5
Age	27	25
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

Jaylen Warren outscored Zonovan Knight by 5.5 PPG in 2025 (12.3 to 6.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaylen Warren or Zonovan Knight in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 PPG compared to Zonovan Knight's 6.8 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 Zonovan Knight average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Zonovan Knight averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are Jaylen Warren and Zonovan Knight's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Zonovan Knight (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Warren or Zonovan Knight a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Zonovan Knight by 5.5 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.