Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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. Dylan Sampson (4.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Dylan Sampson as depth.

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

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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

Bye

Week 10

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

Dylan Sampson

James Conner

Head to Head

4.7 PPG11.0 PPG

15 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: 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, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dylan Sampson vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

James Conner and Dylan Sampson are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Arizona Cardinals running back averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025, a full 6.3 points per game ahead of Dylan Sampson's 4.7 with the Cleveland Browns. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

James Conner carries a 6.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

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

Dylan Sampson has his bye in Week 10, and James Conner rests in Week 11. 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

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Dylan Sampson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 107 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dylan Sampson played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Dylan Sampson 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.
•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 James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	11.0
Games Played	15	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	154
Rushing Yards	175	752
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	53.7
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	33	28
Receiving Yards	271	218
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	2	6
Age	21	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner average in 2025?▾

Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 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 6.3 points per game.

When are Dylan Sampson and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) has a bye in Week 10, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dylan Sampson or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Dylan Sampson by 6.3 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.