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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott or Raheim SandersWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Ezekiel Elliott over Raheim Sanders in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG in 2025 to Raheim Sanders's 4.7, a 2.5 point per game edge. Elliott also stayed healthier, playing 14 games to 4, which steadies his weekly floor.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.5-PPG advantage is real (7.2 to 4.7), and Ezekiel Elliott's 3 touchdowns show scoring upside. Raheim Sanders is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBDallas CowboysPPG LEADER

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

RBCleveland Browns

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

7.2 PPG4.7 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Unranked RB. Raheim Sanders: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Raheim Sanders at 21%. That per-game gap means Ezekiel Elliott carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Raheim Sanders: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys) finished the 2025 season averaging 7.2 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Raheim Sanders (Cleveland Browns) came in at 4.7 PPG over 4 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Ezekiel Elliott carries a 2.5-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. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns; Raheim Sanders posted 92 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 Raheim Sanders is off Week 10. 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. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. 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 Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	4.7
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	19
Rushing Yards	452	92
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	23.0
Rushing TDs	3	1
Receptions	18	3
Receiving Yards	128	21
Targets	0	4
Total TDs	3	1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ezekiel Elliott holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.2 points per game. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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.

Should I draft Ezekiel Elliott or Raheim Sanders in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Ezekiel Elliott is the earlier pick. He averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Raheim Sanders's 4.7, a 2.5 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Ezekiel Elliott and Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Raheim Sanders by 2.5 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.