Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

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

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 3.8-PPG advantage is real (9.0 to 5.2), and Austin Ekeler's 5 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ty Johnson 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

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

9.0 PPG5.2 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Johnson: 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 Johnson at 24%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Austin Ekeler and Ty Johnson are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 PPG across 14 games with the Washington Commanders, while Ty Johnson posted 5.2 PPG in 17 appearances for the Buffalo Bills.

A 3.8-PPG gap gives Austin Ekeler the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Ty Johnson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 200 rushing yards and 3 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 Ty Johnson is off Week 12. 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. Ty Johnson 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 Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ty Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Ty Johnson 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 Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	5.2
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	88
Rushing Yards	425	200
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	11.8
Rushing TDs	3	3
Receptions	45	24
Receiving Yards	360	263
Targets	0	33
Total TDs	5	5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

Austin Ekeler outscored Ty Johnson by 3.8 PPG in 2025 (9.0 to 5.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Johnson average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

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

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Ty Johnson (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

Austin Ekeler outscored Ty Johnson by 3.8 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.