Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jerome FordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Jerome Ford'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 Jerome Ford 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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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

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

9.0 PPG8.4 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jerome Ford: 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 Jerome Ford at 38%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG over 14 games with the Washington Commanders, while Jerome Ford clocked in at 8.4 across 15 appearances for the Cleveland Browns. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Jerome Ford profiles as a more traditional rusher with 582 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Austin Ekeler is off Week 14 and Jerome Ford Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Jerome Ford by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerome Ford played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Jerome Ford 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 Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	8.4
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	126
Rushing Yards	425	582
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	38.8
Rushing TDs	3	3
Receptions	45	28
Receiving Yards	360	215
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	4
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

9.0 PPG for Austin Ekeler versus 8.4 for Jerome Ford 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 Austin Ekeler or Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Jerome Ford'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 Austin Ekeler and Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Jerome Ford 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.