Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Ty ChandlerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Ty Chandler's 5.9 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 3.1-PPG advantage is real (9.0 to 5.9), and Austin Ekeler's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ty Chandler 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

RBMinnesota Vikings#99

Ty Chandler

PPG

5.9

Games

Rush Yds

265

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

135

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Ty Chandler

Head to Head

9.0 PPG5.9 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Chandler: 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 Ty Chandler at 27%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Ty Chandler: 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. Ty Chandler (Minnesota Vikings) came in at 5.9 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Austin Ekeler carries a 3.1-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 Ty Chandler profiles as a more traditional rusher with 265 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Austin Ekeler has his bye in Week 14, and Ty Chandler rests in Week 6. 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

If you can acquire Austin Ekeler at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ty Chandler 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. Ty Chandler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Ty Chandler by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Ty Chandler: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Ty Chandler
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	5.9
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	83
Rushing Yards	425	265
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	18.9
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	45	18
Receiving Yards	360	135
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 points per game. Ty Chandler averaged 5.9 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 Ty Chandler in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Ty Chandler's 5.9 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 Ty Chandler average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ty Chandler averaged 5.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Ty Chandler's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Ty Chandler (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Ty Chandler a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Ty Chandler by 3.1 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.