Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.5 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Chris Rodriguez Jr. edges Ezekiel Elliott by 0.3 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, Chris Rodriguez Jr. 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#43PPG LEADER

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

PPG

7.5

Games

Rush Yds

500

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

7.5 PPG7.2 PPG

12 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Chris Rodriguez Jr.: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #43 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is producing at 34% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means Chris Rodriguez Jr. carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (7.5 PPG) and Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 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. Chris Rodriguez Jr. played 12 games for the Washington Commanders; Ezekiel Elliott suited up 14 times for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 0.3-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for 500 yards and 6 touchdowns; Ezekiel Elliott posted 452 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (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?

•Chris Rodriguez Jr. outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s 12. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Chris Rodriguez Jr.	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.5	7.2
Games Played	12	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	90	101
Rushing Yards	500	452
Rush Yds/Game	41.7	32.3
Rushing TDs	6	3
Receptions	3	18
Receiving Yards	30	128
Targets	4	0
Total TDs	6	3
Age	26	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Chris Rodriguez Jr. holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.5 points per game. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 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 Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Chris Rodriguez Jr. has the edge at 7.5 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 Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Chris Rodriguez Jr. averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

Do Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Ezekiel Elliott share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Ezekiel Elliott share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Chris Rodriguez Jr. outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 0.3 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.