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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Zach Charbonnet

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. Zach Charbonnet (10.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Jonathan Taylor as the starter and Zach Charbonnet 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
RBSeattle Seahawks#28
Zach Charbonnet
PPG
10.7
Games
16
Rush Yds
730
Rush TDs
12
Rec
20
Rec Yds
144
Bye
Week 8

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Jonathan Taylor
Zach Charbonnet

Head to Head

20.0 PPG10.7 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Zach Charbonnet: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #28 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Zach Charbonnet at 49%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Zach Charbonnet: Who Should You Start?

Jonathan Taylor and Zach Charbonnet are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Indianapolis Colts running back averaged 20.0 PPG in 2025, a full 9.3 points per game ahead of Zach Charbonnet's 10.7 with the Seattle Seahawks. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

A 9.3-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 Zach Charbonnet profiles as a more traditional rusher with 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Jonathan Taylor has his bye in Week 11, and Zach Charbonnet rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Zach Charbonnet 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. Zach Charbonnet (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Jonathan Taylor outscored Zach Charbonnet by a projected 158 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Zach Charbonnet'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
StatTaylorCharbonnet
PPG (Half-PPR)20.010.7
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)340171
Rushing Yards1,585730
Rush Yds/Game93.245.6
Rushing TDs1812
Receptions4620
Receiving Yards378144
Targets5524
Total TDs2012
Age2725
Experience5 yrs2 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 8

Summary

Jonathan Taylor outscored Zach Charbonnet by 9.3 PPG in 2025 (20.0 to 10.7). 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 Zach Charbonnet in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Zach Charbonnet's 10.7 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 Zach Charbonnet average in 2025?

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Zach Charbonnet averaged 10.7 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 9.3 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Zach Charbonnet's bye weeks in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and Zach Charbonnet (SEA) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Zach Charbonnet a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jonathan Taylor outscored Zach Charbonnet by 9.3 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.