Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kareem HuntWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kareem Hunt is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kareem Hunt is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Kareem Hunt edges Ezekiel Elliott by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Kareem Hunt goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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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

RBKansas City Chiefs#39PPG LEADER

Kareem Hunt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

611

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

143

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Kareem Hunt

Head to Head

7.2 PPG8.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kareem Hunt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Kareem Hunt at 36%. That ranking gap means Kareem Hunt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kareem Hunt: The Full Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) and Kareem Hunt (8.0 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; Kareem Hunt suited up 17 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.8-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; Kareem Hunt posted 611 and 8. 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 Kareem Hunt 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. Kareem Hunt (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Kareem Hunt outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kareem Hunt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means Kareem Hunt contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kareem Hunt scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs Kareem Hunt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Kareem Hunt
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	8.0
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	136
Rushing Yards	452	611
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	35.9
Rushing TDs	3	8
Receptions	18	18
Receiving Yards	128	143
Targets	0	25
Total TDs	3	9
Age	-	30
Experience	-	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Kareem Hunt holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 points per game. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott or Kareem Hunt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kareem Hunt has the edge at 8.0 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 Kareem Hunt average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Kareem Hunt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Kareem Hunt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kareem Hunt outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 0.8 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.