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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler or Michael CarterWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Austin Ekeler over Michael Carter in 2026.

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG in 2025 to Michael Carter's 6.3, a 2.7 point per game edge. Ekeler's 45-catch receiving role gives him a higher weekly floor in PPR and half-PPR.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.7-PPG advantage is real (9.0 to 6.3), and Austin Ekeler's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Michael Carter 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 CommandersPPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Michael Carter

Head to Head

9.0 PPG6.3 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Unranked RB. Michael Carter: Tier 6 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That per-game gap means Austin Ekeler carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Michael Carter: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 9.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Michael Carter (Arizona Cardinals) came in at 6.3 PPG over 13 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Austin Ekeler carries a 2.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Michael Carter profiles as a more traditional rusher with 333 rushing yards and 1 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 14 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Michael Carter by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. 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.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Michael Carter: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Michael Carter
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	6.3
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	82
Rushing Yards	425	333
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	25.6
Rushing TDs	3	1
Receptions	45	33
Receiving Yards	360	267
Targets	0	45
Total TDs	5	1
Age	-	27
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 points per game. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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.

Should I draft Austin Ekeler or Michael Carter in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Austin Ekeler is the earlier pick. He averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Michael Carter's 6.3, a 2.7 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Austin Ekeler and Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

Do Austin Ekeler and Michael Carter share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Austin Ekeler and Michael Carter share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Austin Ekeler or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Michael Carter by 2.7 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.