Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Isiah PachecoWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ezekiel Elliott and Isiah Pacheco are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.2-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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RBDallas Cowboys#99PPG LEADER

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

RBKansas City Chiefs#54

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Isiah Pacheco

Head to Head

7.2 PPG6.0 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Isiah Pacheco at 27%. That ranking gap means Isiah Pacheco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Isiah Pacheco: The Full Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) and Isiah Pacheco (6.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games for the Dallas Cowboys; Isiah Pacheco suited up 13 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 1.2-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns; Isiah Pacheco posted 462 and 1. 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: Ezekiel Elliott sits Week 7 while Isiah Pacheco is off Week 5. 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: Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Isiah Pacheco (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Isiah Pacheco by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Isiah Pacheco's 13. 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

Ezekiel Elliott vs Isiah Pacheco: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Isiah Pacheco
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	6.0
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	78
Rushing Yards	452	462
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	35.5
Rushing TDs	3	1
Receptions	18	19
Receiving Yards	128	101
Targets	0	26
Total TDs	3	2
Age	-	27
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 5

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ezekiel Elliott at 7.2 PPG, 1.2 points per game above Isiah Pacheco's 6.0. 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 Ezekiel Elliott or Isiah Pacheco in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 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 Ezekiel Elliott and Isiah Pacheco average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Isiah Pacheco's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Isiah Pacheco a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Isiah Pacheco by 1.2 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.