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De'Von Achane vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

De'Von Achane is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 18.1 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

De'Von Achane is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. De'Von Achane outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 10.9 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, De'Von Achane is the clear pick. Ezekiel Elliott profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBMiami Dolphins#5PPG LEADER
De'Von Achane
PPG
18.1
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,350
Rush TDs
8
Rec
67
Rec Yds
488
Bye
Week 6
RBDallas Cowboys#99
Ezekiel Elliott
PPG
7.2
Games
14
Rush Yds
452
Rush TDs
3
Rec
18
Rec Yds
128
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
De'Von Achane
Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

18.1 PPG7.2 PPG
16 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

De'Von Achane: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #5 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, De'Von Achane is producing at 82% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. That ranking gap means De'Von Achane carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

De'Von Achane vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

De'Von Achane and Ezekiel Elliott are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Miami Dolphins running back averaged 18.1 PPG in 2025, a full 10.9 points per game ahead of Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 with the Dallas Cowboys. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 10.9-point weekly advantage for De'Von Achane is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

De'Von Achane is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 67 targets into 488 yards, while Ezekiel Elliott profiles as a more traditional rusher with 452 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats De'Von Achane carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

De'Von Achane 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

De'Von Achane is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ezekiel Elliott is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: De'Von Achane (age 24) 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?

  • De'Von Achane outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 185 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • De'Von Achane played 16 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means De'Von Achane contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • De'Von Achane scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • De'Von Achane caught 67 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

De'Von Achane vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDe'Von AchaneEzekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)18.17.2
Games Played1614
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)290101
Rushing Yards1,350452
Rush Yds/Game84.432.3
Rushing TDs83
Receptions6718
Receiving Yards488128
Targets850
Total TDs123
Age24-
Experience2 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 6Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor De'Von Achane at 18.1 PPG, 10.9 points per game above Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start De'Von Achane or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, De'Von Achane has the edge at 18.1 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 De'Von Achane and Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?

De'Von Achane averaged 18.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 10.9 points per game.

When are De'Von Achane and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?

De'Von Achane (MIA) 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 De'Von Achane or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?

De'Von Achane outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 10.9 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.