Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Aaron Jones over Samaje Perine in 2026.

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 to Samaje Perine's 6.5, a 2.2 point per game edge. Jones posted that edge in only 12 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.2-PPG advantage is real (8.7 to 6.5), and Aaron Jones's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Samaje Perine 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

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

8.7 PPG6.5 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 6 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Samaje Perine: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Samaje Perine at 30%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Samaje Perine: 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. Samaje Perine (Kansas City Chiefs) came in at 6.5 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Aaron Jones carries a 2.2-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; Samaje Perine posted 285 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 thing to note: both players share a Week 6 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Samaje Perine 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.
•Both players share a Week 6 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	6.5
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	98
Rushing Yards	548	285
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	19.0
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	28	24
Receiving Yards	199	182
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	3
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aaron Jones holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 points per game. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 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 Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

Do Aaron Jones and Samaje Perine share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Aaron Jones and Samaje Perine share a Week 6 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Aaron Jones or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Samaje Perine by 2.2 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.