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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Rashee Rice

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Jonathan Taylor (20.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Rashee Rice (15.5 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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
WRKansas City Chiefs#5
Rashee Rice
PPG
15.5
Games
8
Rec
53
Rec Yds
571
Rec TDs
5
Targets
78
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Rashee Rice

Head to Head

20.0 PPG15.5 PPG
17 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 1 (Elite) WR in most league formats.

Jonathan Taylor vs Rashee Rice: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Jonathan Taylor (RB, Indianapolis Colts) against Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Rashee Rice posted 15.5 PPG across 8 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 11, Rashee Rice in Week 10. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Rashee Rice is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Rashee Rice by a projected 77 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. 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.
  • Rashee Rice caught 53 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatTaylorRice
PPG (Half-PPR)20.015.5
Games Played178
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340124
Rushing Yards1,58520
Rush Yds/Game93.22.5
Rushing TDs181
Receptions4653
Receiving Yards378571
Targets5578
Total TDs206
Age2726
Experience5 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 4.5 points per game above Rashee Rice's 15.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jonathan Taylor or Rashee Rice in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Rashee Rice's 15.5 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 Rashee Rice average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 4.5 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?

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