Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Emanuel Wilson vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 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. Emanuel Wilson (5.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Emanuel Wilson as depth.

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

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RBGreen Bay Packers#60

Emanuel Wilson

PPG

5.4

Games

Rush Yds

496

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 11

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

Emanuel Wilson

James Conner

Head to Head

5.4 PPG11.0 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Emanuel Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #60 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Emanuel Wilson is producing at 25% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Emanuel Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Emanuel Wilson vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Emanuel Wilson (Green Bay Packers) finished the 2025 season averaging 5.4 fantasy points per game in 16 games. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) came in at 11.0 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 5.6-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. Emanuel Wilson ran for 496 yards and 3 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 11 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Emanuel Wilson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Emanuel Wilson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Emanuel Wilson by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Emanuel Wilson played 16 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Emanuel Wilson 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.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Emanuel Wilson vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Emanuel Wilson	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	11.0
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	154
Rushing Yards	496	752
Rush Yds/Game	31.0	53.7
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	15	28
Receiving Yards	99	218
Targets	17	0
Total TDs	3	6
Age	27	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Emanuel Wilson averaged 5.4 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 Emanuel Wilson or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 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 Emanuel Wilson and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Emanuel Wilson averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

Do Emanuel Wilson and James Conner share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Emanuel Wilson and James Conner share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Emanuel Wilson or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Emanuel Wilson by 5.6 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.