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Head to Head

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Josh Jacobs vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Josh Jacobs outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 7.8 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Josh Jacobs 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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RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER
Josh Jacobs
PPG
14.6
Games
15
Rush Yds
929
Rush TDs
13
Rec
36
Rec Yds
282
Bye
Week 11
RBGreen Bay Packers#99
MarShawn Lloyd
PPG
6.8
Games
12
Rush Yds
325
Rush TDs
3
Rec
16
Rec Yds
112
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Josh Jacobs
MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

14.6 PPG6.8 PPG
15 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Josh Jacobs is producing at 66% of elite pace and MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Jacobs vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring MarShawn Lloyd (Green Bay Packers, 6.8 PPG) by 7.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 7.8 points favors Josh Jacobs, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Josh Jacobs ran for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns; MarShawn Lloyd posted 325 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Josh Jacobs is off Week 11 and MarShawn Lloyd Week 10. 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

Josh Jacobs 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: Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Josh Jacobs outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 133 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 12. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Jacobs vs MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJosh JacobsMarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)14.66.8
Games Played1512
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)21982
Rushing Yards929325
Rush Yds/Game61.927.1
Rushing TDs133
Receptions3616
Receiving Yards282112
Targets440
Total TDs143
Age28-
Experience6 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 10

Summary

14.6 PPG for Josh Jacobs versus 6.8 for MarShawn Lloyd in 2025. The baseline favors Josh Jacobs, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Jacobs or MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 7.8 points per game.

When are Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?

Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Josh Jacobs or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Josh Jacobs outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 7.8 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.

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