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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

De'Von Achane 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 the better play on a neutral week. 20.0 PPG with 1,963 yards gives a reliable baseline. De'Von Achane at 18.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonathan Taylor higher, but do not fade De'Von Achane entirely.

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

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RBMiami Dolphins#5
De'Von Achane
PPG
18.1
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,350
Rush TDs
8
Rec
67
Rec Yds
488
Bye
Week 12
RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER
Jonathan Taylor
PPG
20.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,585
Rush TDs
18
Rec
46
Rec Yds
378
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
De'Von Achane
Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

18.1 PPG20.0 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

De'Von Achane: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #5 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, De'Von Achane is producing at 82% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

De'Von Achane vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between De'Von Achane and Jonathan Taylor is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Miami Dolphins running back put up 18.1 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts averaged 20.0 in 17. A 1.9-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 1.9 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.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. De'Von Achane caught 67 balls for 488 yards, and Jonathan Taylor hauled in 46 for 378. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

One scheduling note: De'Von Achane is off Week 12 and Jonathan Taylor Week 11. 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

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: De'Von Achane (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored De'Von Achane by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to De'Von Achane'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.
  • De'Von Achane caught 67 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatAchaneTaylor
PPG (Half-PPR)18.120.0
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)290340
Rushing Yards1,3501,585
Rush Yds/Game84.493.2
Rushing TDs818
Receptions6746
Receiving Yards488378
Targets8555
Total TDs1220
Age2427
Experience2 yrs5 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 11

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 18.1 for De'Von Achane 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 De'Von Achane or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to De'Von Achane's 18.1 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 De'Von Achane and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?

De'Von Achane averaged 18.1 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 1.9 points per game.

When are De'Von Achane and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?

De'Von Achane (MIA) has a bye in Week 12, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is De'Von Achane or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored De'Von Achane by 1.9 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.