Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better play on a neutral week. 11.6 PPG with 948 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 Rhamondre Stevenson 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

RBNew England Patriots#22PPG LEADER

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

9.0 PPG11.6 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Rhamondre Stevenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Rhamondre Stevenson for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 for the New England Patriots (14 games).

That 2.6-point weekly advantage for Rhamondre Stevenson 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 Rhamondre Stevenson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 603 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Rhamondre Stevenson is off Week 11. 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

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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Rhamondre Stevenson scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	11.6
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	162
Rushing Yards	425	603
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	43.1
Rushing TDs	3	7
Receptions	45	32
Receiving Yards	360	345
Targets	0	37
Total TDs	5	9
Age	-	28
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rhamondre Stevenson at 11.6 PPG, 2.6 points per game above Austin Ekeler's 9.0. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rhamondre Stevenson has the edge at 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Austin Ekeler by 2.6 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.