Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is the better play on a neutral week. 11.0 PPG with 970 yards gives a reliable baseline. Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Austin Ekeler entirely.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

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

Austin Ekeler

James Conner

Head to Head

9.0 PPG11.0 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). James Conner: 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 James Conner at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Austin Ekeler and James Conner is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Washington Commanders running back put up 9.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals averaged 11.0 in 14. A 2.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.0 points favors James Conner, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 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 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: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 34 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner scored 6 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 James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	11.0
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	154
Rushing Yards	425	752
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	53.7
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	45	28
Receiving Yards	360	218
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	6
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 9.0 for Austin Ekeler in 2025. The baseline favors James Conner, 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 Austin Ekeler or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

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

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.0 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Austin Ekeler by 2.0 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.