Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.3-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 7.7), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Alvin Kamara is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 8

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

Alvin Kamara

James Conner

Head to Head

7.7 PPG11.0 PPG

11 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Alvin Kamara carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 7.7 fantasy points per game in 11 games. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) came in at 11.0 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 3.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 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: Alvin Kamara sits Week 8 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

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Alvin Kamara is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 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 Alvin Kamara by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. 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.
•Alvin Kamara caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alvin Kamara vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alvin Kamara	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	11.0
Games Played	11	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	85	154
Rushing Yards	471	752
Rush Yds/Game	42.8	53.7
Rushing TDs	1	5
Receptions	33	28
Receiving Yards	186	218
Targets	39	0
Total TDs	1	6
Age	30	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alvin Kamara or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 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 Alvin Kamara and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Alvin Kamara by 3.3 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.