Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Ty ChandlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Ty Chandler's 5.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

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. Ty Chandler (5.9 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Ty Chandler 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

RBMinnesota Vikings#99

Ty Chandler

PPG

5.9

Games

Rush Yds

265

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

135

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Jonathan Taylor

Ty Chandler

Head to Head

20.0 PPG5.9 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Ty Chandler: 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 Ty Chandler at 27%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Ty Chandler: 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 Ty Chandler managed 5.9 across 14 games with the Minnesota Vikings. A 14.1-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 14.1-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 Ty Chandler profiles as a more traditional rusher with 265 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jonathan Taylor sits Week 13 while Ty Chandler is off Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ty Chandler 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. Ty Chandler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Ty Chandler by a projected 240 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ty Chandler'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 Ty Chandler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonathan Taylor	Ty Chandler
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.0	5.9
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	340	83
Rushing Yards	1,585	265
Rush Yds/Game	93.2	18.9
Rushing TDs	18	2
Receptions	46	18
Receiving Yards	378	135
Targets	55	0
Total TDs	20	3
Age	27	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 6

Summary

Jonathan Taylor outscored Ty Chandler by 14.1 PPG in 2025 (20.0 to 5.9). 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 Ty Chandler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Ty Chandler's 5.9 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 Ty Chandler average in 2025?▾

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ty Chandler averaged 5.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 14.1 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Ty Chandler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Jonathan Taylor or Ty Chandler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Ty Chandler by 14.1 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.