Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is the better play on a neutral week. 11.0 PPG with 970 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ezekiel Elliott at 7.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Ezekiel Elliott entirely.

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

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RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

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

Ezekiel Elliott

James Conner

Head to Head

7.2 PPG11.0 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: 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, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Ezekiel Elliott and James Conner for your lineup, you are not alone. Ezekiel Elliott finished the 2025 season at 7.2 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (14 games), and James Conner averaged 11.0 for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games).

That 3.8-point weekly advantage for James Conner 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 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 scheduling note: Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7 and James Conner Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Conner 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: Ezekiel Elliott (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 Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 65 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	11.0
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	154
Rushing Yards	452	752
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	53.7
Rushing TDs	3	5
Receptions	18	28
Receiving Yards	128	218
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	6
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 3.8 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 Ezekiel Elliott or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

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

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.8 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 3.8 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.