Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chase Brown vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chase Brown is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chase Brown is the better fantasy play this season.

Chase Brown is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.6 PPG and 1,456 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Chase Brown as the starter and Ezekiel Elliott as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBCincinnati Bengals#9PPG LEADER

Chase Brown

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

1,019

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

437

Bye

Week 6

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Chase Brown

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

14.6 PPG7.2 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Chase Brown: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #9 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Chase Brown is producing at 66% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means Chase Brown carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chase Brown vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Chase Brown and Ezekiel Elliott are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Cincinnati Bengals running back averaged 14.6 PPG in 2025, a full 7.4 points per game ahead of Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 with the Dallas Cowboys. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

A 7.4-PPG gap gives Chase Brown 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.

Chase Brown is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 69 targets into 437 yards, while Ezekiel Elliott profiles as a more traditional rusher with 452 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Chase Brown carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Chase Brown has his bye in Week 6, and Ezekiel Elliott rests in Week 7. 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 Chase Brown at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ezekiel Elliott is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Chase Brown (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Chase Brown outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 126 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Chase Brown played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means Chase Brown contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chase Brown scored 11 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Chase Brown caught 69 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chase Brown vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chase Brown	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.6	7.2
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	101
Rushing Yards	1,019	452
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	32.3
Rushing TDs	6	3
Receptions	69	18
Receiving Yards	437	128
Targets	88	0
Total TDs	11	3
Age	26	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Chase Brown outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 7.4 PPG in 2025 (14.6 to 7.2). 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 Chase Brown or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chase Brown has the edge at 14.6 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Chase Brown and Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Chase Brown averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 7.4 points per game.

When are Chase Brown and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Chase Brown (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chase Brown or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Chase Brown outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 7.4 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.