Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Woody MarksWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Woody Marks's 8.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Austin Ekeler edges Woody Marks by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Austin Ekeler goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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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

RBHouston Texans#36

Woody Marks

PPG

8.3

Games

Rush Yds

703

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

208

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Woody Marks

Head to Head

9.0 PPG8.3 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Woody Marks: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Woody Marks at 38%. That ranking gap means Woody Marks carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Woody Marks: The Full Breakdown

Austin Ekeler (9.0 PPG) and Woody Marks (8.3 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Austin Ekeler played 14 games for the Washington Commanders; Woody Marks suited up 16 times for the Houston Texans.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Woody Marks profiles as a more traditional rusher with 703 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Austin Ekeler sits Week 14 while Woody Marks is off Week 8. 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. Woody Marks (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Woody Marks by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Woody Marks played 16 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. That durability gap means Woody Marks 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 Woody Marks: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Woody Marks
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	8.3
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	133
Rushing Yards	425	703
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	43.9
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	45	24
Receiving Yards	360	208
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	5	5
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 points per game. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 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 Woody Marks in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 PPG compared to Woody Marks's 8.3 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 Woody Marks average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Woody Marks's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Woody Marks (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Woody Marks a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Woody Marks by 0.7 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.