Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 13.2 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. MarShawn Lloyd profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jonathan Taylor

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

20.0 PPG6.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jonathan Taylor put up 20.0 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while MarShawn Lloyd managed 6.8 across 12 games with the Green Bay Packers. A 13.2-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

That 13.2-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while MarShawn Lloyd profiles as a more traditional rusher with 325 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jonathan Taylor sits Week 13 while MarShawn Lloyd 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

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. MarShawn Lloyd is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 224 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 12. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor vs MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonathan Taylor	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.0	6.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	340	82
Rushing Yards	1,585	325
Rush Yds/Game	93.2	27.1
Rushing TDs	18	3
Receptions	46	16
Receiving Yards	378	112
Targets	55	0
Total TDs	20	3
Age	27	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 13.2 points per game above MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonathan Taylor or MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd'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 Jonathan Taylor and MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 13.2 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 13.2 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.