Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Kyren WilliamsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Kyren Williams outscored Austin Ekeler by 5.4 PPG in 2025 with 13 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Kyren Williams is the clear pick. Austin Ekeler profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

RBLos Angeles Rams#11PPG LEADER

Kyren Williams

PPG

14.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,252

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Kyren Williams

Head to Head

9.0 PPG14.4 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Kyren Williams at 65%. That ranking gap means Kyren Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Kyren Williams: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Kyren Williams for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 for the Los Angeles Rams (17 games).

That 5.4-point weekly advantage for Kyren Williams 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 Kyren Williams profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1252 rushing yards and 10 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 Kyren Williams 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

Kyren Williams is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Austin Ekeler 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. Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kyren Williams outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 92 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyren Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Kyren Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kyren Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 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 Kyren Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Kyren Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	14.4
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	245
Rushing Yards	425	1,252
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	73.6
Rushing TDs	3	10
Receptions	45	36
Receiving Yards	360	281
Targets	0	50
Total TDs	5	13
Age	-	25
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kyren Williams at 14.4 PPG, 5.4 points per game above Austin Ekeler's 9.0. 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 Kyren Williams in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyren Williams has the edge at 14.4 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 Kyren Williams average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.4 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Kyren Williams's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Kyren Williams a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyren Williams outscored Austin Ekeler by 5.4 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.