Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Austin Ekeler is the better play on a neutral week. 9.0 PPG with 785 yards gives a reliable baseline. MarShawn Lloyd at 6.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Austin Ekeler higher, but do not fade MarShawn Lloyd entirely.

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

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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

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

9.0 PPG6.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: 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 MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and MarShawn Lloyd for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 for the Green Bay Packers (12 games).

That 2.2-point weekly advantage for Austin Ekeler 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 MarShawn Lloyd profiles as a more traditional rusher with 325 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 MarShawn Lloyd 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. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 12. That durability gap means Austin Ekeler 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 MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	6.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	82
Rushing Yards	425	325
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	27.1
Rushing TDs	3	3
Receptions	45	16
Receiving Yards	360	112
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 2.2 points per game above MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8. 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 MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 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 MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 2.2 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.