Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jaylen WarrenWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

Jaylen Warren has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.3-PPG advantage is real (12.3 to 9.0), and Jaylen Warren's 8 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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RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jaylen Warren

Head to Head

9.0 PPG12.3 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jaylen Warren at 56%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Jaylen Warren: The Full Breakdown

Austin Ekeler and Jaylen Warren are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG across 14 games with the Washington Commanders, while Jaylen Warren posted 12.3 PPG in 16 appearances for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 3.3-PPG gap gives Jaylen Warren 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. Austin Ekeler caught 45 balls for 360 yards, and Jaylen Warren hauled in 40 for 333. 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: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Jaylen Warren is off Week 9. 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 Jaylen Warren 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: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jaylen Warren (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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 Jaylen Warren: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jaylen Warren
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	12.3
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	197
Rushing Yards	425	958
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	59.9
Rushing TDs	3	6
Receptions	45	40
Receiving Yards	360	333
Targets	0	45
Total TDs	5	8
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 9

Summary

Jaylen Warren outscored Austin Ekeler by 3.3 PPG in 2025 (12.3 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 Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Warren in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Jaylen Warren's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Jaylen Warren a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Austin Ekeler by 3.3 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.