Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Aaron Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 747 yards gives a reliable baseline. Jaleel McLaughlin at 6.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Aaron Jones higher, but do not fade Jaleel McLaughlin entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

8.7 PPG6.9 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aaron Jones and Jaleel McLaughlin for your lineup, you are not alone. Aaron Jones finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (12 games), and Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 for the Denver Broncos (15 games).

That 1.8-point weekly advantage for Aaron Jones 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. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jaleel McLaughlin posted 382 and 2. 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: Aaron Jones is off Week 6 and Jaleel McLaughlin 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aaron Jones scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	6.9
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	104
Rushing Yards	548	382
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	25.5
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	28	22
Receiving Yards	199	168
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	3
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Aaron Jones at 8.7 PPG, 1.8 points per game above Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9. 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 Aaron Jones or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Aaron Jones and Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 1.8 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.