Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Nick ChubbWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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. Nick Chubb at 5.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Austin Ekeler higher, but do not fade Nick Chubb 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

RBHouston Texans#59

Nick Chubb

PPG

5.5

Games

Rush Yds

506

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Nick Chubb

Head to Head

9.0 PPG5.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Nick Chubb: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #59 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Nick Chubb at 25%. That ranking gap means Nick Chubb carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Nick Chubb: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 for the Houston Texans (15 games).

That 3.5-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 Nick Chubb profiles as a more traditional rusher with 506 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Nick Chubb is off Week 8. 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

Austin Ekeler is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Nick Chubb 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. Nick Chubb (age 30, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Nick Chubb by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Nick Chubb played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Nick Chubb 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 Nick Chubb: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Nick Chubb
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	5.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	83
Rushing Yards	425	506
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	33.7
Rushing TDs	3	3
Receptions	45	13
Receiving Yards	360	67
Targets	0	20
Total TDs	5	3
Age	-	30
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 3.5 points per game above Nick Chubb's 5.5. 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 Nick Chubb in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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 Nick Chubb average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Nick Chubb (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Nick Chubb a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Nick Chubb by 3.5 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.