Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Najee Harris vs Ty JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Najee Harris is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Najee Harris is the better fantasy play this season.

Najee Harris is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 12.8 PPG and 1,235 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Ty Johnson (5.2 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Najee Harris as the starter and Ty Johnson as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#99PPG LEADER

Najee Harris

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,010

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

225

Bye

Week 9

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Najee Harris

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

12.8 PPG5.2 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Najee Harris: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Najee Harris is producing at 58% of elite pace and Ty Johnson at 24%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Najee Harris vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Najee Harris put up 12.8 fantasy points per game for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, while Ty Johnson managed 5.2 across 17 games with the Buffalo Bills. A 7.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 7.6-PPG gap gives Najee Harris 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. Najee Harris ran for 1010 yards and 6 touchdowns; Ty Johnson posted 200 and 3. 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: Najee Harris sits Week 9 while Ty Johnson is off Week 12. 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 Najee Harris at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ty Johnson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Najee Harris (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ty Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Najee Harris outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 129 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Najee Harris scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Najee Harris vs Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Najee Harris	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	5.2
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	88
Rushing Yards	1,010	200
Rush Yds/Game	59.4	11.8
Rushing TDs	6	3
Receptions	30	24
Receiving Yards	225	263
Targets	0	33
Total TDs	7	5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 12

Summary

Najee Harris outscored Ty Johnson by 7.6 PPG in 2025 (12.8 to 5.2). 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 Najee Harris or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Najee Harris has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Najee Harris and Ty Johnson average in 2025?▾

Najee Harris averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.6 points per game.

When are Najee Harris and Ty Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Najee Harris (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Ty Johnson (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Najee Harris or Ty Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Najee Harris outscored Ty Johnson by 7.6 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.