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Saquon Barkley vs Woody MarksWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Saquon Barkley is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 13.4 PPG to Woody Marks's 8.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Saquon Barkley is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Saquon Barkley outscored Woody Marks by 5.1 PPG in 2025 with 9 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Saquon Barkley is the clear pick. Woody Marks 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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RBPhiladelphia Eagles#14PPG LEADER
Saquon Barkley
PPG
13.4
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,140
Rush TDs
7
Rec
37
Rec Yds
273
Bye
Week 10
RBHouston Texans#36
Woody Marks
PPG
8.3
Games
16
Rush Yds
703
Rush TDs
2
Rec
24
Rec Yds
208
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Saquon Barkley
Woody Marks

Head to Head

13.4 PPG8.3 PPG
16 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Saquon Barkley: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #14 at the position). Woody Marks: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Saquon Barkley is producing at 61% of elite pace and Woody Marks at 38%. That ranking gap means Saquon Barkley carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Saquon Barkley vs Woody Marks: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Saquon Barkley and Woody Marks is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Philadelphia Eagles running back put up 13.4 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Woody Marks of the Houston Texans averaged 8.3 in 16. A 5.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.1 points favors Saquon Barkley, 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. Saquon Barkley ran for 1140 yards and 7 touchdowns; Woody Marks posted 703 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Saquon Barkley has his bye in Week 10, and Woody Marks rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Saquon Barkley is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Woody Marks is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Saquon Barkley (age 29, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Woody Marks (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Saquon Barkley outscored Woody Marks by a projected 87 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Saquon Barkley scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Saquon Barkley caught 37 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • Woody Marks is 4 years younger than Saquon Barkley (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Saquon Barkley vs Woody Marks: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatSaquon BarkleyWoody Marks
PPG (Half-PPR)13.48.3
Games Played1616
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)214133
Rushing Yards1,140703
Rush Yds/Game71.343.9
Rushing TDs72
Receptions3724
Receiving Yards273208
Targets5036
Total TDs95
Age2925
Experience7 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 10Week 8

Summary

13.4 PPG for Saquon Barkley versus 8.3 for Woody Marks in 2025. The baseline favors Saquon Barkley, 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 Saquon Barkley or Woody Marks in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Saquon Barkley has the edge at 13.4 PPG compared to Woody Marks's 8.3 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 Saquon Barkley and Woody Marks average in 2025?

Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 5.1 points per game.

When are Saquon Barkley and Woody Marks's bye weeks in 2026?

Saquon Barkley (PHI) has a bye in Week 10, and Woody Marks (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Saquon Barkley or Woody Marks a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Saquon Barkley outscored Woody Marks by 5.1 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.

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