Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

D'Andre Swift vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 20.0 PPG and 1,963 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. D'Andre Swift (13.2 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and D'Andre Swift as depth.

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

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RBChicago Bears#16

D'Andre Swift

PPG

13.2

Games

Rush Yds

1,087

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

299

Bye

Week 5

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

D'Andre Swift

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

13.2 PPG20.0 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

D'Andre Swift: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #16 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, D'Andre Swift is producing at 60% 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.

D'Andre Swift vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Jonathan Taylor put up 20.0 fantasy points per game for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, while D'Andre Swift managed 13.2 across 16 games with the Chicago Bears. A 6.8-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 6.8-PPG gap gives Jonathan Taylor the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while D'Andre Swift profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1087 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: D'Andre Swift sits Week 5 while Jonathan Taylor is off Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. D'Andre Swift is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: D'Andre Swift (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored D'Andre Swift by a projected 116 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to D'Andre Swift's 16. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatSwiftTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)13.220.0

Games Played1617

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)211340

Rushing Yards1,0871,585

Rush Yds/Game67.993.2

Rushing TDs918

Receptions3446

Receiving Yards299378

Targets4855

Total TDs1020

Age2727

Experience5 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 5Week 11

Summary

Jonathan Taylor outscored D'Andre Swift by 6.8 PPG in 2025 (20.0 to 13.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start D'Andre Swift or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to D'Andre Swift's 13.2 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 D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.8 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 5, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored D'Andre Swift by 6.8 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.