Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Samaje Perine vs Ty JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Samaje Perine edges Ty Johnson by 1.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Samaje Perine goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Samaje Perine

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

6.5 PPG5.2 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Samaje Perine: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Samaje Perine is producing at 30% of elite pace and Ty Johnson at 24%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Samaje Perine vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) and Ty Johnson (5.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Samaje Perine played 15 games for the Kansas City Chiefs; Ty Johnson suited up 17 times for the Buffalo Bills.

A 1.3-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Samaje Perine ran for 285 yards and 2 touchdowns; Ty Johnson posted 200 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: Samaje Perine sits Week 6 while Ty Johnson 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: Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ty Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Samaje Perine outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 22 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ty Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Samaje Perine's 15. That durability gap means Ty Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ty Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Samaje Perine vs Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Samaje Perine	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.5	5.2
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	98	88
Rushing Yards	285	200
Rush Yds/Game	19.0	11.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	24	24
Receiving Yards	182	263
Targets	0	33
Total TDs	3	5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Samaje Perine holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.5 points per game. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 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 Samaje Perine or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Samaje Perine has the edge at 6.5 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Samaje Perine and Ty Johnson average in 2025?▾

Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.3 points per game.

When are Samaje Perine and Ty Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6, and Ty Johnson (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Samaje Perine or Ty Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine outscored Ty Johnson by 1.3 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.