Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Michael Carter vs Zach CharbonnetWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Zach Charbonnet is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.7 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Zach Charbonnet is the better fantasy play this season.

Zach Charbonnet has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.4-PPG advantage is real (10.7 to 6.3), and Zach Charbonnet's 12 touchdowns show scoring upside. Michael Carter is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

RBSeattle Seahawks#28PPG LEADER

Zach Charbonnet

PPG

10.7

Games

Rush Yds

730

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

144

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Michael Carter

Zach Charbonnet

Head to Head

6.3 PPG10.7 PPG

13 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Zach Charbonnet: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Michael Carter is producing at 29% of elite pace and Zach Charbonnet at 49%. That ranking gap means Zach Charbonnet carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Carter vs Zach Charbonnet: The Full Breakdown

Michael Carter and Zach Charbonnet are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG across 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Zach Charbonnet posted 10.7 PPG in 16 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.

A 4.4-PPG gap gives Zach Charbonnet 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Michael Carter ran for 333 yards and 1 touchdowns; Zach Charbonnet posted 730 and 12. 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: Michael Carter is off Week 14 and Zach Charbonnet Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Zach Charbonnet at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Michael Carter is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Zach Charbonnet (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Zach Charbonnet outscored Michael Carter by a projected 75 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Zach Charbonnet played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Zach Charbonnet contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zach Charbonnet scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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 Zach Charbonnet: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Carter	Zach Charbonnet
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.3	10.7
Games Played	13	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	82	171
Rushing Yards	333	730
Rush Yds/Game	25.6	45.6
Rushing TDs	1	12
Receptions	33	20
Receiving Yards	267	144
Targets	45	24
Total TDs	1	12
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Zach Charbonnet outscored Michael Carter by 4.4 PPG in 2025 (10.7 to 6.3). 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 Michael Carter or Zach Charbonnet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Zach Charbonnet has the edge at 10.7 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 Zach Charbonnet average in 2025?▾

Michael Carter averaged 6.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 4.4 points per game.

When are Michael Carter and Zach Charbonnet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Michael Carter or Zach Charbonnet a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Zach Charbonnet outscored Michael Carter by 4.4 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.