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Head to Head

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Jonathan Taylor vs Miles SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Miles Sanders's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.0 PPG and 1,963 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Miles Sanders (5.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Miles Sanders as depth.

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

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RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER
Jonathan Taylor
PPG
20.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 13
RBDallas Cowboys#56
Miles Sanders
PPG
5.7
Games
4
Rush Yds
117
Rush TDs
1
Rec
8
Rec Yds
30
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Miles Sanders

Head to Head

20.0 PPG5.7 PPG
17 GP4 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Miles Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #56 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Miles Sanders at 26%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Miles Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jonathan Taylor put up 20.0 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while Miles Sanders managed 5.7 across 4 games with the Dallas Cowboys. A 14.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Jonathan Taylor carries a 14.3-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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Miles Sanders profiles as a more traditional rusher with 117 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jonathan Taylor sits Week 13 while Miles Sanders is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Miles Sanders is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Miles Sanders (age 29, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Miles Sanders by a projected 243 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Miles Sanders's 4. 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

Jonathan Taylor vs Miles Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJonathan TaylorMiles Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)20.05.7
Games Played174
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)34023
Rushing Yards1,585117
Rush Yds/Game93.229.3
Rushing TDs181
Receptions468
Receiving Yards37830
Targets558
Total TDs201
Age2729
Experience5 yrs6 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonathan Taylor holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.0 points per game. Miles Sanders averaged 5.7 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 Jonathan Taylor or Miles Sanders in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Miles Sanders's 5.7 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 Jonathan Taylor and Miles Sanders average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Miles Sanders averaged 5.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 14.3 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Miles Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Miles Sanders (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Miles Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Miles Sanders by 14.3 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.