Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Carter vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Michael Carter by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 9 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Rhamondre Stevenson 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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RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

RBNew England Patriots#22PPG LEADER

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Michael Carter

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

6.3 PPG11.6 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Michael Carter is producing at 29% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Rhamondre Stevenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Carter vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Michael Carter and Rhamondre Stevenson for your lineup, you are not alone. Michael Carter finished the 2025 season at 6.3 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (13 games), and Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 for the New England Patriots (14 games).

That 5.3-point weekly advantage for Rhamondre Stevenson 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Michael Carter ran for 333 yards and 1 touchdowns; Rhamondre Stevenson posted 603 and 7. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Michael Carter sits Week 14 while Rhamondre Stevenson is off Week 11. 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

Rhamondre Stevenson 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: Michael Carter (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?

•Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Michael Carter by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rhamondre Stevenson played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Rhamondre Stevenson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rhamondre Stevenson scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Michael Carter caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Carter vs Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Carter	Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.3	11.6
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	82	162
Rushing Yards	333	603
Rush Yds/Game	25.6	43.1
Rushing TDs	1	7
Receptions	33	32
Receiving Yards	267	345
Targets	45	37
Total TDs	1	9
Age	27	28
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rhamondre Stevenson at 11.6 PPG, 5.3 points per game above Michael Carter's 6.3. 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 Michael Carter or Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rhamondre Stevenson has the edge at 11.6 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 Michael Carter and Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

Michael Carter averaged 6.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.3 points per game.

When are Michael Carter and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Michael Carter or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Michael Carter by 5.3 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.