Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Audric Estimé vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Audric Estimé's 8.4 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 2.6-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 8.4), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Audric Estimé 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Audric Estimé and James Conner in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBNew Orleans Saints#35

Audric Estimé

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

198

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

103

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

Audric Estimé

James Conner

Head to Head

8.4 PPG11.0 PPG

5 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). James Conner: 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 James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Audric Estimé carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Audric Estimé vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Audric Estimé and James Conner are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 PPG across 5 games with the New Orleans Saints, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG in 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 2.6-PPG gap gives James Conner 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 profile as early-down workhorses. Audric Estimé ran for 198 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: Audric Estimé 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

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. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Audric Estimé by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. 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

Audric Estimé vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Audric Estimé	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	11.0
Games Played	5	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	42	154
Rushing Yards	198	752
Rush Yds/Game	39.6	53.7
Rushing TDs	1	5
Receptions	12	28
Receiving Yards	103	218
Targets	13	0
Total TDs	1	6
Age	22	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

James Conner outscored Audric Estimé by 2.6 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 8.4). 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.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Audric Estimé vs James Conner

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 Audric Estimé vs James Conner

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 Audric Estimé or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

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

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé (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 Audric Estimé or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Audric Estimé by 2.6 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.