Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Gus Edwards vs Jonathan TaylorWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Gus Edwards's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Gus Edwards by 13.0 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Gus Edwards 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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RBLos Angeles Chargers#99

Gus Edwards

PPG

7.0

Games

Rush Yds

468

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 5

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Gus Edwards

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

7.0 PPG20.0 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Gus Edwards: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Gus Edwards is producing at 32% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gus Edwards vs Jonathan Taylor: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers, 7.0 PPG) by 13.0 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 13.0-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Gus Edwards profiles as a more traditional rusher with 468 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Gus Edwards is off Week 5 and Jonathan Taylor Week 13. 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

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Gus Edwards is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Gus Edwards (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Gus Edwards by a projected 221 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gus Edwards's 13. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gus Edwards vs Jonathan Taylor: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gus Edwards	Jonathan Taylor
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	20.0
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	91	340
Rushing Yards	468	1,585
Rush Yds/Game	36.0	93.2
Rushing TDs	4	18
Receptions	10	46
Receiving Yards	62	378
Targets	0	55
Total TDs	4	20
Age	-	27
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 13

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 13.0 points per game above Gus Edwards's 7.0. 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 Gus Edwards or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Gus Edwards's 7.0 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 Gus Edwards and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 13.0 points per game.

When are Gus Edwards and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gus Edwards (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gus Edwards or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Gus Edwards by 13.0 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.