Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs RJ HarveyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

RJ Harvey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.8 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

RJ Harvey is the better fantasy play this season.

RJ Harvey is the better play on a neutral week. 10.8 PPG with 896 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 RJ Harvey higher, but do not fade Austin Ekeler entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

RBDenver Broncos#27PPG LEADER

RJ Harvey

PPG

10.8

Games

Rush Yds

540

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

356

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

RJ Harvey

Head to Head

9.0 PPG10.8 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). RJ Harvey: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and RJ Harvey at 49%. That ranking gap means RJ Harvey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs RJ Harvey: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and RJ Harvey for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and RJ Harvey averaged 10.8 for the Denver Broncos (17 games).

That 1.8-point weekly advantage for RJ Harvey 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.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Austin Ekeler caught 45 balls for 360 yards, and RJ Harvey hauled in 47 for 356. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

Austin Ekeler has his bye in Week 14, and RJ Harvey rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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. RJ Harvey (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•RJ Harvey outscored Austin Ekeler by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•RJ Harvey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means RJ Harvey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•RJ Harvey scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•RJ Harvey caught 47 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 RJ Harvey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	RJ Harvey
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	10.8
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	184
Rushing Yards	425	540
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	31.8
Rushing TDs	3	7
Receptions	45	47
Receiving Yards	360	356
Targets	0	58
Total TDs	5	12
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor RJ Harvey at 10.8 PPG, 1.8 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 RJ Harvey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, RJ Harvey has the edge at 10.8 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 RJ Harvey average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. RJ Harvey averaged 10.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and RJ Harvey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Austin Ekeler or RJ Harvey a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

RJ Harvey outscored Austin Ekeler by 1.8 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.