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Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Michael CarterWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Aaron Jones over Michael Carter in 2026.

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 to Michael Carter's 6.3, a 2.4 point per game edge. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit. Both land in Tier 6 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.4-PPG advantage is real (8.7 to 6.3), and Aaron Jones's 3 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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RBMinnesota Vikings#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Michael Carter

Head to Head

8.7 PPG6.3 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 6 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 6 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Michael Carter: 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. Michael Carter (Arizona Cardinals) came in at 6.3 PPG over 13 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Aaron Jones carries a 2.4-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; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. 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 Michael Carter rests in Week 14. 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

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. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Michael Carter by a projected 41 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Michael Carter played 13 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Michael Carter 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.
•Michael Carter caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Michael Carter is 4 years younger than Aaron Jones (27 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	6.3
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	82
Rushing Yards	548	333
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	25.6
Rushing TDs	2	1
Receptions	28	33
Receiving Yards	199	267
Targets	41	45
Total TDs	3	1
Age	31	27
Experience	8 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aaron Jones holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 points per game. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 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 Aaron Jones and Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.4 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Aaron Jones or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Michael Carter by 2.4 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.