Jaylen Warren vs Zonovan Knight: Who Should You Start?
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.