Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brenton Strange vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Brenton Strange's 7.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Conner (11.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Brenton Strange (7.9 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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TEJacksonville Jaguars#19

Brenton Strange

PPG

7.9

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

540

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Brenton Strange

James Conner

Head to Head

7.9 PPG11.0 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Brenton Strange: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #19 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) RB in most league formats.

Brenton Strange vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Brenton Strange (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars) against James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 PPG in 2025 over 12 games, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG across 14 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Brenton Strange has his bye in Week 7, James Conner in Week 11. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Conner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Brenton Strange is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Brenton Strange (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Brenton Strange by a projected 53 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Brenton Strange's 12. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brenton Strange vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brenton Strange	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.9	11.0
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	95	154
Rushing Yards	0	752
Rush Yds/Game	0.0	53.7
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	46	28
Receiving Yards	540	218
Targets	60	0
Total TDs	3	6
Age	25	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 7.9 for Brenton Strange in 2025. The baseline favors James Conner, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brenton Strange or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Brenton Strange's 7.9 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 Brenton Strange and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Brenton Strange averaged 7.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.1 points per game.

When are Brenton Strange and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brenton Strange (JAX) has a bye in Week 7, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.