J.K. Dobbins vs Michael Carter: Who Should You Start?
J.K. Dobbins and Michael Carter are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. J.K. Dobbins averaged 11.0 PPG across 10 games with the Denver Broncos, while Michael Carter posted 6.3 PPG in 13 appearances for the Tennessee Titans.
A 4.7-PPG gap gives J.K. Dobbins 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.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. J.K. Dobbins ran for 772 yards and 4 touchdowns; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
J.K. Dobbins has his bye in Week 14, and Michael Carter rests in Week 5. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
