Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Najee Harris

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. Najee Harris (12.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Najee Harris 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

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

RBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Najee Harris

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,010

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

225

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Jonathan Taylor

Najee Harris

Head to Head

20.0 PPG12.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Najee Harris: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Najee Harris at 58%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Najee Harris: 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 Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers, 12.8 PPG) by 7.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Jonathan Taylor carries a 7.2-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Najee Harris profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1010 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 Najee Harris Week 9. 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. Najee Harris 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. Najee Harris (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Najee Harris by a projected 122 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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▾

StatTaylorHarris

PPG (Half-PPR)20.012.8

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340218

Rushing Yards1,5851,010

Rush Yds/Game93.259.4

Rushing TDs186

Receptions4630

Receiving Yards378225

Targets550

Total TDs207

Age27-

Experience5 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonathan Taylor holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.0 points per game. Najee Harris averaged 12.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonathan Taylor or Najee Harris in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Najee Harris's 12.8 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 Najee Harris average in 2025?▾

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Najee Harris averaged 12.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.2 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Najee Harris's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and Najee Harris (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Najee Harris a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Najee Harris by 7.2 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.