Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Josh Jacobs over Aaron Jones in 2026.

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG in 2025 to Aaron Jones's 8.7, a 5.9 point per game edge. Jacobs also stayed healthier, playing 15 games to 12, which steadies his weekly floor. Josh Jacobs is Tier 3 at the position, Aaron Jones is Tier 6.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.6 PPG and 1,211 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Aaron Jones (8.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Josh Jacobs as the starter and Aaron Jones as depth.

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

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

8.7 PPG14.6 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 6 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 3 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings) finished the 2025 season averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game in 12 games. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) came in at 14.6 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Josh Jacobs carries a 5.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Aaron Jones has his bye in Week 6, and Josh Jacobs rests in Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Josh Jacobs at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Aaron Jones is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 100 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	14.6
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	219
Rushing Yards	548	929
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	61.9
Rushing TDs	2	13
Receptions	28	36
Receiving Yards	199	282
Targets	41	44
Total TDs	3	14
Age	31	28
Experience	8 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Josh Jacobs holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.6 points per game. Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 PPG compared to Aaron Jones's 8.7 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.9 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Aaron Jones by 5.9 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.