Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Darren Waller vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Darren Waller's 9.6 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. Darren Waller (9.6 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.

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

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TEMiami Dolphins#8

Darren Waller

PPG

9.6

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

283

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

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

Darren Waller

James Conner

Head to Head

9.6 PPG11.0 PPG

8 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Darren Waller: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #8 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 2 (Strong Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) RB in most league formats.

Darren Waller vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Darren Waller (TE, Miami Dolphins) against James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 PPG in 2025 over 8 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.

Darren Waller has his bye in Week 6, James Conner in Week 11. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: Darren Waller (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Darren Waller by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Darren Waller's 8. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Darren Waller scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darren Waller vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darren Waller	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.6	11.0
Games Played	8	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	77	154
Rushing Yards	4	752
Rush Yds/Game	0.5	53.7
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	24	28
Receiving Yards	283	218
Targets	34	0
Total TDs	6	6
Age	33	-
Experience	10 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Darren Waller averaged 9.6 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 Darren Waller or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Darren Waller's 9.6 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 Darren Waller and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Darren Waller averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 8 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Darren Waller and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darren Waller (MIA) has a bye in Week 6, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.