Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Dylan SampsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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. Dylan Sampson at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Austin Ekeler higher, but do not fade Dylan Sampson entirely.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Dylan Sampson

Head to Head

9.0 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Dylan Sampson at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Dylan Sampson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Dylan Sampson for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 for the Cleveland Browns (15 games).

That 4.3-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 Dylan Sampson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 175 rushing yards and undefined 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: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Dylan Sampson is off Week 10. 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

Austin Ekeler is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Dylan Sampson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson 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

Austin Ekeler vs Dylan Sampson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Dylan Sampson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	4.7
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	71
Rushing Yards	425	175
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	11.7
Rushing TDs	3	0
Receptions	45	33
Receiving Yards	360	271
Targets	0	40
Total TDs	5	2
Age	-	21
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Dylan Sampson's 4.7. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Dylan Sampson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Austin Ekeler and Dylan Sampson average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Dylan Sampson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Dylan Sampson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Dylan Sampson by 4.3 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.