Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cordarrelle Patterson vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Cordarrelle Patterson's 5.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 11.0 PPG and 970 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Cordarrelle Patterson (5.5 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Cordarrelle Patterson as depth.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#99

Cordarrelle Patterson

PPG

5.5

Games

Rush Yds

225

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

142

Bye

Week 9

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

Cordarrelle Patterson

James Conner

Head to Head

5.5 PPG11.0 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Cordarrelle Patterson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Cordarrelle Patterson is producing at 25% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Cordarrelle Patterson vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Cordarrelle Patterson and James Conner are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Cordarrelle Patterson averaged 5.5 PPG across 15 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG in 14 appearances for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 5.5-PPG gap gives James Conner 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Cordarrelle Patterson is off Week 9 and James Conner Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Cordarrelle Patterson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Cordarrelle Patterson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Cordarrelle Patterson by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cordarrelle Patterson played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Cordarrelle Patterson 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

Cordarrelle Patterson vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cordarrelle Patterson	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.5	11.0
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	154
Rushing Yards	225	752
Rush Yds/Game	15.0	53.7
Rushing TDs	2	5
Receptions	18	28
Receiving Yards	142	218
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	6
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

James Conner outscored Cordarrelle Patterson by 5.5 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 5.5). 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 Cordarrelle Patterson or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Cordarrelle Patterson's 5.5 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 Cordarrelle Patterson and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Cordarrelle Patterson averaged 5.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are Cordarrelle Patterson and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Cordarrelle Patterson (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Cordarrelle Patterson or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Cordarrelle Patterson by 5.5 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.