Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Zach Charbonnet

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Christian McCaffrey outscored Zach Charbonnet by 10.8 PPG in 2025 with 17 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Christian McCaffrey is the clear pick. Zach Charbonnet 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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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

Bye

Week 14

RBSeattle Seahawks#28

Zach Charbonnet

PPG

10.7

Games

Rush Yds

730

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

144

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Christian McCaffrey

Zach Charbonnet

Head to Head

21.5 PPG10.7 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Zach Charbonnet: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Christian McCaffrey is producing at 98% of elite pace and Zach Charbonnet at 49%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Zach Charbonnet: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Zach Charbonnet (Seattle Seahawks, 10.7 PPG) by 10.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 10.8 points favors Christian McCaffrey, 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.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Zach Charbonnet profiles as a more traditional rusher with 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Christian McCaffrey is off Week 14 and Zach Charbonnet Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Christian McCaffrey is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Zach Charbonnet is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Zach Charbonnet (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Zach Charbonnet by a projected 184 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Charbonnet's 16. 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.
•Zach Charbonnet is 4 years younger than Christian McCaffrey (25 vs 29), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatMcCaffreyCharbonnet

PPG (Half-PPR)21.510.7

Games Played1716

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)366171

Rushing Yards1,202730

Rush Yds/Game70.745.6

Rushing TDs1012

Receptions10220

Receiving Yards924144

Targets12924

Total TDs1712

Age2925

Experience8 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 8

Summary

21.5 PPG for Christian McCaffrey versus 10.7 for Zach Charbonnet in 2025. The baseline favors Christian McCaffrey, 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 Christian McCaffrey or Zach Charbonnet in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 PPG compared to Zach Charbonnet's 10.7 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 Christian McCaffrey and Zach Charbonnet average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 10.8 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Zach Charbonnet's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) has a bye in Week 14, and Zach Charbonnet (SEA) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Christian McCaffrey or Zach Charbonnet a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Zach Charbonnet by 10.8 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.