Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Isiah Pacheco 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 Isiah Pacheco by 14.0 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor is the clear pick. Isiah Pacheco 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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RBKansas City Chiefs#54

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 10

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

Isiah Pacheco

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

6.0 PPG20.0 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Isiah Pacheco is producing at 27% 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.

Isiah Pacheco 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 Isiah Pacheco managed 6.0 across 13 games with the Kansas City Chiefs. A 14.0-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

The per-game difference of 14.0 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 Isiah Pacheco profiles as a more traditional rusher with 462 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Isiah Pacheco sits Week 10 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

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Isiah Pacheco is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Isiah Pacheco (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 Isiah Pacheco by a projected 238 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Isiah Pacheco's 13. 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▾

StatPachecoTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)6.020.0

Games Played1317

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)78340

Rushing Yards4621,585

Rush Yds/Game35.593.2

Rushing TDs118

Receptions1946

Receiving Yards101378

Targets2655

Total TDs220

Age2727

Experience3 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 10Week 11

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 6.0 for Isiah Pacheco 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 Isiah Pacheco or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 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 Isiah Pacheco and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 14.0 points per game.

When are Isiah Pacheco and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 10, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isiah Pacheco or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Isiah Pacheco by 14.0 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.