Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kyren Williams vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kyren Williams outscored Michael Carter by 8.1 PPG in 2025 with 13 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kyren Williams is the clear pick. Michael Carter 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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RBLos Angeles Rams#11PPG LEADER

Kyren Williams

PPG

14.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,252

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Bye

Week 11

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Kyren Williams

Michael Carter

Head to Head

14.4 PPG6.3 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kyren Williams is producing at 65% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Kyren Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kyren Williams vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Michael Carter (Arizona Cardinals, 6.3 PPG) by 8.1 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 8.1 points favors Kyren Williams, 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. Kyren Williams ran for 1252 yards and 10 touchdowns; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. 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: Kyren Williams is off Week 11 and Michael Carter Week 14. 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

Kyren Williams is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Michael Carter is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Kyren Williams outscored Michael Carter by a projected 138 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyren Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Kyren Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kyren Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kyren Williams caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kyren Williams vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kyren Williams	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.4	6.3
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	245	82
Rushing Yards	1,252	333
Rush Yds/Game	73.6	25.6
Rushing TDs	10	1
Receptions	36	33
Receiving Yards	281	267
Targets	50	45
Total TDs	13	1
Age	25	27
Experience	3 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

14.4 PPG for Kyren Williams versus 6.3 for Michael Carter in 2025. The baseline favors Kyren Williams, 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 Kyren Williams or Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyren Williams has the edge at 14.4 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Kyren Williams and Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 8.1 points per game.

When are Kyren Williams and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kyren Williams (LAR) has a bye in Week 11, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kyren Williams or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyren Williams outscored Michael Carter by 8.1 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.