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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Jordan Mason

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. Jordan Mason (7.6 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Jordan Mason as depth.

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

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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
RBMinnesota Vikings#42
Jordan Mason
PPG
7.6
Games
16
Rush Yds
758
Rush TDs
6
Rec
14
Rec Yds
51
Bye
Week 6

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Jordan Mason

Head to Head

20.0 PPG7.6 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Jordan Mason: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #42 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Jordan Mason at 35%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Jordan Mason: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings, 7.6 PPG) by 12.4 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 12.4-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 Jordan Mason profiles as a more traditional rusher with 758 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jonathan Taylor is off Week 11 and Jordan Mason Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jordan Mason is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jordan Mason (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Jordan Mason by a projected 211 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jordan Mason'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
StatTaylorMason
PPG (Half-PPR)20.07.6
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340122
Rushing Yards1,585758
Rush Yds/Game93.247.4
Rushing TDs186
Receptions4614
Receiving Yards37851
Targets5516
Total TDs206
Age2726
Experience5 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 6

Summary

Jonathan Taylor outscored Jordan Mason by 12.4 PPG in 2025 (20.0 to 7.6). 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 Jonathan Taylor or Jordan Mason in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Jordan Mason's 7.6 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 Jonathan Taylor and Jordan Mason average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jordan Mason averaged 7.6 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 12.4 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Jordan Mason's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and Jordan Mason (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Jordan Mason a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Jordan Mason by 12.4 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.