Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ezekiel Elliott and MarShawn Lloyd are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-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

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

7.2 PPG6.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: 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 MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Ezekiel Elliott finished the 2025 season at 7.2 PPG over 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys, while MarShawn Lloyd clocked in at 6.8 across 12 appearances for the Green Bay Packers. A 0.4-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns; MarShawn Lloyd posted 325 and 3. 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 MarShawn Lloyd Week 10. 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

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. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 12. 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 MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	6.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	82
Rushing Yards	452	325
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	27.1
Rushing TDs	3	3
Receptions	18	16
Receiving Yards	128	112
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	3
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ezekiel Elliott at 7.2 PPG, 0.4 points per game above MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8. 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 MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 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 MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 0.4 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.