Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ashton Jeanty vs Austin EkelerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Ashton Jeanty has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.8-PPG advantage is real (12.8 to 9.0), and Ashton Jeanty's 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Austin Ekeler 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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RBLas Vegas Raiders#17PPG LEADER

Ashton Jeanty

PPG

12.8

Games

Rush Yds

975

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

346

Bye

Week 13

RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Ashton Jeanty

Austin Ekeler

Head to Head

12.8 PPG9.0 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Austin Ekeler at 41%. That ranking gap means Ashton Jeanty carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ashton Jeanty vs Austin Ekeler: The Full Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty and Austin Ekeler are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 PPG across 17 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Austin Ekeler posted 9.0 PPG in 14 appearances for the Washington Commanders.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Ashton Jeanty the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Ashton Jeanty caught 55 balls for 346 yards, and Austin Ekeler hauled in 45 for 360. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ashton Jeanty sits Week 13 while Austin Ekeler is off Week 14. 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 Ashton Jeanty at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Austin Ekeler is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ashton Jeanty outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ashton Jeanty played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Ashton Jeanty contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Ashton Jeanty caught 55 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Austin Ekeler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ashton Jeanty	Austin Ekeler
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.8	9.0
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	218	126
Rushing Yards	975	425
Rush Yds/Game	57.4	30.4
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	55	45
Receiving Yards	346	360
Targets	73	0
Total TDs	10	5
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 14

Summary

Ashton Jeanty outscored Austin Ekeler by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (12.8 to 9.0). 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 Ashton Jeanty or Austin Ekeler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 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 Ashton Jeanty and Austin Ekeler average in 2025?▾

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Ashton Jeanty and Austin Ekeler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Austin Ekeler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ashton Jeanty outscored Austin Ekeler by 3.8 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.