Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Alvin Kamara by 12.3 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Alvin Kamara 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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RBNew Orleans Saints#41

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 11

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Alvin Kamara

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

7.7 PPG20.0 PPG

11 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% 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.

Alvin Kamara vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

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 Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints, 7.7 PPG) by 12.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 12.3 points favors Jonathan Taylor, 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Alvin Kamara profiles as a more traditional rusher with 471 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.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Alvin Kamara is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Alvin Kamara by a projected 209 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatKamaraTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)7.720.0

Games Played1117

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)85340

Rushing Yards4711,585

Rush Yds/Game42.893.2

Rushing TDs118

Receptions3346

Receiving Yards186378

Targets3955

Total TDs120

Age3027

Experience8 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 11

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 7.7 for Alvin Kamara in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, 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 Alvin Kamara or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 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 Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 12.3 points per game.

Do Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Alvin Kamara or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Alvin Kamara by 12.3 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.