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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson by 8.4 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Rhamondre Stevenson 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
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 13
RBNew England Patriots#22
Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG
11.6
Games
14
Rush Yds
603
Rush TDs
7
Rec
32
Rec Yds
345
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

20.0 PPG11.6 PPG
17 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots, 11.6 PPG) by 8.4 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 8.4-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 Rhamondre Stevenson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 603 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jonathan Taylor is off Week 13 and Rhamondre Stevenson Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Rhamondre Stevenson 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by a projected 143 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 14. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJonathan TaylorRhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)20.011.6
Games Played1714
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340162
Rushing Yards1,585603
Rush Yds/Game93.243.1
Rushing TDs187
Receptions4632
Receiving Yards378345
Targets5537
Total TDs209
Age2728
Experience5 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 8.4 points per game above Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 8.4 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by 8.4 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.