Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

Ezekiel Elliott has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.5-PPG advantage is real (7.2 to 5.7), and Ezekiel Elliott's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Devin Neal is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

RBDallas Cowboys#99PPG LEADER

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

5.7 PPG7.2 PPG

9 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means Devin Neal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Devin Neal and Ezekiel Elliott are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Devin Neal averaged 5.7 PPG across 9 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Ezekiel Elliott posted 7.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Dallas Cowboys.

A 1.5-PPG gap gives Ezekiel Elliott 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. Devin Neal ran for 206 yards and 2 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 scheduling note: Devin Neal is off Week 8 and Ezekiel Elliott Week 7. 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

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: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Devin Neal by a projected 26 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ezekiel Elliott scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Devin Neal vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	7.2
Games Played	9	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	101
Rushing Yards	206	452
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	32.3
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	17	18
Receiving Yards	104	128
Targets	19	0
Total TDs	2	3
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Devin Neal by 1.5 PPG in 2025 (7.2 to 5.7). 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 Devin Neal or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Devin Neal and Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.5 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Devin Neal by 1.5 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.