Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Michael Carter vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ray Davis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Michael Carter's 6.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ray Davis is the better fantasy play this season.

Ray Davis is the better play on a neutral week. 7.8 PPG with 593 yards gives a reliable baseline. Michael Carter at 6.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Ray Davis higher, but do not fade Michael Carter entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

RBBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER

Ray Davis

PPG

7.8

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Michael Carter

Ray Davis

Head to Head

6.3 PPG7.8 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Ray Davis: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Michael Carter is producing at 29% of elite pace and Ray Davis at 35%. That ranking gap means Michael Carter carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Michael Carter vs Ray Davis: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Michael Carter and Ray Davis is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Arizona Cardinals running back put up 6.3 PPG in 2025 over 13 games; Ray Davis of the Buffalo Bills averaged 7.8 in 15. A 1.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.5 points favors Ray Davis, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Michael Carter ran for 333 yards and 1 touchdowns; Ray Davis posted 425 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Michael Carter sits Week 14 while Ray Davis is off Week 12. 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

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

Did You Know?

•Ray Davis outscored Michael Carter by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ray Davis played 15 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. That durability gap means Ray Davis contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ray Davis scored 4 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Michael Carter vs Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Michael Carter	Ray Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.3	7.8
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	82	117
Rushing Yards	333	425
Rush Yds/Game	25.6	28.3
Rushing TDs	1	3
Receptions	33	22
Receiving Yards	267	168
Targets	45	0
Total TDs	1	4
Age	27	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

7.8 PPG for Ray Davis versus 6.3 for Michael Carter in 2025. The baseline favors Ray Davis, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Michael Carter or Ray Davis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ray Davis has the edge at 7.8 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 Michael Carter and Ray Davis average in 2025?▾

Michael Carter averaged 6.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Michael Carter and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 14, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Michael Carter or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ray Davis outscored Michael Carter by 1.5 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.