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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor or Samaje PerineWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Jonathan Taylor over Samaje Perine in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025 to Samaje Perine's 6.5, a 13.5 point per game edge. Taylor's 46-catch receiving role gives him a higher weekly floor in PPR and half-PPR.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.0 PPG and 1,963 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Samaje Perine as depth.

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

RBKansas City Chiefs

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jonathan Taylor

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

20.0 PPG6.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Samaje Perine: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. That per-game gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor and Samaje Perine are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 13.5 points per game ahead of Samaje Perine's 6.5 with the Kansas City Chiefs. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

A 13.5-PPG gap gives Jonathan Taylor 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Samaje Perine profiles as a more traditional rusher with 285 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 13, and Samaje Perine rests in Week 6. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Samaje Perine is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 230 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Samaje Perine's 15. 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonathan Taylor	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.0	6.5
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	340	98
Rushing Yards	1,585	285
Rush Yds/Game	93.2	19.0
Rushing TDs	18	2
Receptions	46	24
Receiving Yards	378	182
Targets	55	0
Total TDs	20	3
Age	27	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

Jonathan Taylor outscored Samaje Perine by 13.5 PPG in 2025 (20.0 to 6.5). 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 Jonathan Taylor or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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.

Should I draft Jonathan Taylor or Samaje Perine in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Jonathan Taylor is the earlier pick. He averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Samaje Perine's 6.5, a 13.5 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Jonathan Taylor and Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 13.5 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Samaje Perine by 13.5 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.