Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jordan MasonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Jordan Mason's 7.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Austin Ekeler edges Jordan Mason by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Austin Ekeler goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

RBMinnesota Vikings#42

Jordan Mason

PPG

7.6

Games

Rush Yds

758

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jordan Mason

Head to Head

9.0 PPG7.6 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jordan Mason: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #42 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jordan Mason at 35%. That ranking gap means Jordan Mason carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Jordan Mason: 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 Jordan Mason clocked in at 7.6 across 16 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings. A 1.4-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 Jordan Mason profiles as a more traditional rusher with 758 rushing yards and 6 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 Jordan Mason Week 6. 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. Jordan Mason (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Jordan Mason by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jordan Mason played 16 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Jordan Mason contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jordan Mason 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 Jordan Mason: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jordan Mason
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	7.6
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	122
Rushing Yards	425	758
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	47.4
Rushing TDs	3	6
Receptions	45	14
Receiving Yards	360	51
Targets	0	16
Total TDs	5	6
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 points per game. Jordan Mason averaged 7.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Jordan Mason in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Jordan Mason's 7.6 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 Jordan Mason average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jordan Mason averaged 7.6 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Jordan Mason's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Jordan Mason (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Jordan Mason a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Jordan Mason by 1.4 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.