Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Ezekiel ElliottWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

Ezekiel Elliott is the better play on a neutral week. 7.2 PPG with 580 yards gives a reliable baseline. Dylan Sampson at 4.7 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Ezekiel Elliott higher, but do not fade Dylan Sampson entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

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

Dylan Sampson

Ezekiel Elliott

Head to Head

4.7 PPG7.2 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Ezekiel Elliott at 33%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dylan Sampson vs Ezekiel Elliott: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Dylan Sampson and Ezekiel Elliott is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Cleveland Browns running back put up 4.7 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys averaged 7.2 in 14. A 2.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.5 points favors Ezekiel Elliott, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Dylan Sampson sits Week 10 while Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Dylan Sampson (age 21) 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 Dylan Sampson by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson 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.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Ezekiel Elliott: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Ezekiel Elliott
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	7.2
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	101
Rushing Yards	175	452
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	32.3
Rushing TDs	0	3
Receptions	33	18
Receiving Yards	271	128
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	2	3
Age	21	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

7.2 PPG for Ezekiel Elliott versus 4.7 for Dylan Sampson in 2025. The baseline favors Ezekiel Elliott, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dylan Sampson or Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson and Ezekiel Elliott average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and Ezekiel Elliott's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or Ezekiel Elliott a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Dylan Sampson by 2.5 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.