Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Austin Ekeler has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.3-PPG advantage is real (9.0 to 4.7), and Austin Ekeler's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Raheim Sanders 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 Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBCleveland Browns#99

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

9.0 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Raheim Sanders: 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 Raheim Sanders at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Raheim Sanders: 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. Raheim Sanders (Cleveland Browns) came in at 4.7 PPG over 4 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Austin Ekeler carries a 4.3-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 Raheim Sanders profiles as a more traditional rusher with 92 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Raheim Sanders is off Week 10. 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

If you can acquire Austin Ekeler at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Raheim Sanders is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. 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 Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	4.7
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	19
Rushing Yards	425	92
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	23.0
Rushing TDs	3	1
Receptions	45	3
Receiving Yards	360	21
Targets	0	4
Total TDs	5	1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 points per game. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Raheim Sanders by 4.3 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.