Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Audric Estimé vs Austin EkelerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Audric Estimé's 8.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Austin Ekeler and Audric Estimé are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew Orleans Saints#35

Audric Estimé

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

198

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

103

Bye

Week 8

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

Audric Estimé

Austin Ekeler

Head to Head

8.4 PPG9.0 PPG

5 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Audric Estimé is producing at 38% of elite pace and Austin Ekeler at 41%. That ranking gap means Audric Estimé carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Audric Estimé vs Austin Ekeler: The Full Breakdown

Audric Estimé (8.4 PPG) and Austin Ekeler (9.0 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. Audric Estimé played 5 games for the New Orleans Saints; Austin Ekeler suited up 14 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.6-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.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Audric Estimé profiles as a more traditional rusher with 198 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Audric Estimé sits Week 8 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

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: Audric Estimé (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?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Audric Estimé by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. That durability gap means Austin Ekeler contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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

Audric Estimé vs Austin Ekeler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Audric Estimé	Austin Ekeler
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	9.0
Games Played	5	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	42	126
Rushing Yards	198	425
Rush Yds/Game	39.6	30.4
Rushing TDs	1	3
Receptions	12	45
Receiving Yards	103	360
Targets	13	0
Total TDs	1	5
Age	22	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 14

Summary

9.0 PPG for Austin Ekeler versus 8.4 for Audric Estimé in 2025. The baseline favors Austin Ekeler, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Audric Estimé or Austin Ekeler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Audric Estimé's 8.4 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 Audric Estimé and Austin Ekeler average in 2025?▾

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and Austin Ekeler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Audric Estimé or Austin Ekeler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Audric Estimé by 0.6 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.