Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Quinshon JudkinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Quinshon Judkins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.2 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Quinshon Judkins is the better fantasy play this season.

Quinshon Judkins is the better play on a neutral week. 11.2 PPG with 998 yards gives a reliable baseline. Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Quinshon Judkins higher, but do not fade Austin Ekeler entirely.

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

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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

RBCleveland Browns#23PPG LEADER

Quinshon Judkins

PPG

11.2

Games

Rush Yds

827

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

171

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Quinshon Judkins

Head to Head

9.0 PPG11.2 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Quinshon Judkins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Quinshon Judkins at 51%. That ranking gap means Quinshon Judkins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Quinshon Judkins: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Austin Ekeler and Quinshon Judkins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Washington Commanders running back put up 9.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns averaged 11.2 in 14. A 2.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.2 points favors Quinshon Judkins, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Quinshon Judkins profiles as a more traditional rusher with 827 rushing yards and 7 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 Quinshon Judkins Week 11. 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. Quinshon Judkins (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Quinshon Judkins outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 37 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Quinshon Judkins scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 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 Quinshon Judkins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Quinshon Judkins
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	11.2
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	157
Rushing Yards	425	827
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	59.1
Rushing TDs	3	7
Receptions	45	26
Receiving Yards	360	171
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	5	7
Age	-	22
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

11.2 PPG for Quinshon Judkins versus 9.0 for Austin Ekeler in 2025. The baseline favors Quinshon Judkins, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Quinshon Judkins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Quinshon Judkins has the edge at 11.2 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 Quinshon Judkins average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Quinshon Judkins averaged 11.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.2 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Quinshon Judkins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Quinshon Judkins a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Quinshon Judkins outscored Austin Ekeler 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.