Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Austin EkelerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Aaron Jones's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Austin Ekeler edges Aaron Jones by 0.3 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Austin Ekeler goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Austin Ekeler

Head to Head

8.7 PPG9.0 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Austin Ekeler at 41%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Austin Ekeler: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Aaron Jones finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG over 12 games with the Minnesota Vikings, while Austin Ekeler clocked in at 9.0 across 14 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.3-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Aaron Jones profiles as a more traditional rusher with 548 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Aaron Jones is off Week 6 and Austin Ekeler Week 14. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Austin Ekeler contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Ekeler scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Austin Ekeler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Austin Ekeler
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	9.0
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	126
Rushing Yards	548	425
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	30.4
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	28	45
Receiving Yards	199	360
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	5
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

Austin Ekeler outscored Aaron Jones by 0.3 PPG in 2025 (9.0 to 8.7). 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 Aaron Jones or Austin Ekeler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Aaron Jones's 8.7 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 Aaron Jones and Austin Ekeler average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Austin Ekeler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Austin Ekeler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Aaron Jones by 0.3 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.