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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Rashee Rice

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Christian McCaffrey (21.5 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Rashee Rice (15.5 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER
Christian McCaffrey
PPG
21.5
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,202
Rush TDs
10
Rec
102
Rec Yds
924
Bye
Week 14
WRKansas City Chiefs#5
Rashee Rice
PPG
15.5
Games
8
Rec
53
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
78
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Christian McCaffrey
Rashee Rice

Head to Head

21.5 PPG15.5 PPG
17 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 1 (Elite) WR in most league formats.

Christian McCaffrey vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Christian McCaffrey (RB, San Francisco 49ers) against Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Rashee Rice posted 15.5 PPG across 8 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Christian McCaffrey has his bye in Week 14, Rashee Rice in Week 10. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Rashee Rice is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Christian McCaffrey outscored Rashee Rice by a projected 102 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatMcCaffreyRice
PPG (Half-PPR)21.515.5
Games Played178
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)366124
Rushing Yards1,20220
Rush Yds/Game70.72.5
Rushing TDs101
Receptions10253
Receiving Yards924571
Targets12978
Total TDs176
Age2926
Experience8 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Christian McCaffrey holds the PPG edge with strong output at 21.5 points per game. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 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 Christian McCaffrey or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Rashee Rice's 15.5 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 Christian McCaffrey and Rashee Rice average in 2025?

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 6.0 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 14, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.