Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alexander Mattison vs Austin EkelerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Austin Ekeler is the better play on a neutral week. 9.0 PPG with 785 yards gives a reliable baseline. Alexander Mattison at 5.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Austin Ekeler higher, but do not fade Alexander Mattison entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Alexander Mattison and Austin Ekeler in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Alexander Mattison

PPG

5.3

Games

Rush Yds

255

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

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

Alexander Mattison

Austin Ekeler

Head to Head

5.3 PPG9.0 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Alexander Mattison: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alexander Mattison is producing at 24% of elite pace and Austin Ekeler at 41%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Alexander Mattison vs Austin Ekeler: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Alexander Mattison and Austin Ekeler for your lineup, you are not alone. Alexander Mattison finished the 2025 season at 5.3 PPG for the Las Vegas Raiders (14 games), and Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 for the Washington Commanders (14 games).

That 3.7-point weekly advantage for Austin Ekeler 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.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Alexander Mattison profiles as a more traditional rusher with 255 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: Alexander Mattison is off Week 10 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

Austin Ekeler is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Alexander Mattison is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Alexander Mattison (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Alexander Mattison by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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

Alexander Mattison vs Austin Ekeler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alexander Mattison	Austin Ekeler
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.3	9.0
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	74	126
Rushing Yards	255	425
Rush Yds/Game	18.2	30.4
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	14	45
Receiving Yards	95	360
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	5
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 3.7 points per game above Alexander Mattison's 5.3. 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Alexander Mattison vs Austin Ekeler

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Alexander Mattison vs Austin Ekeler

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alexander Mattison or Austin Ekeler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 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 Alexander Mattison and Austin Ekeler average in 2025?▾

Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Alexander Mattison and Austin Ekeler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alexander Mattison (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alexander Mattison or Austin Ekeler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Alexander Mattison by 3.7 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.