Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Aaron Jones's 8.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is the better play on a neutral week. 11.0 PPG with 970 yards gives a reliable baseline. Aaron Jones at 8.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Aaron Jones entirely.

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

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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

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

James Conner

Head to Head

8.7 PPG11.0 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). James Conner: 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 James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aaron Jones and James Conner for your lineup, you are not alone. Aaron Jones finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (12 games), and James Conner averaged 11.0 for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games).

That 2.3-point weekly advantage for James Conner is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. 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 James Conner is off Week 11. 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. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	11.0
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	154
Rushing Yards	548	752
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	53.7
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	28	28
Receiving Yards	199	218
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	6
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 2.3 points per game above Aaron Jones's 8.7. 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 Aaron Jones or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Aaron Jones by 2.3 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.