Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Aaron Jones edges Ezekiel Elliott by 1.5 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, Aaron Jones 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#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

8.7 PPG7.2 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: 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 Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Aaron Jones (8.7 PPG) and Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aaron Jones played 12 games for the Minnesota Vikings; Ezekiel Elliott suited up 14 times for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 1.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Ezekiel Elliott posted 452 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 25 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aaron Jones scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	7.2
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	101
Rushing Yards	548	452
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	32.3
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	28	18
Receiving Yards	199	128
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	3
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Aaron Jones outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (8.7 to 7.2). 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 Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 1.5 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.