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Head to Head

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Ezekiel Elliott vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ray Davis is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.8 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ray Davis is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ray Davis and Ezekiel Elliott are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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#99
Ezekiel Elliott
PPG
7.2
Games
14
Rush Yds
452
Rush TDs
3
Rec
18
Rec Yds
128
Bye
Week 7
RBBuffalo Bills#99PPG LEADER
Ray Davis
PPG
7.8
Games
15
Rush Yds
425
Rush TDs
3
Rec
22
Rec Yds
168
Bye
Week 12

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Ezekiel Elliott
Ray Davis

Head to Head

7.2 PPG7.8 PPG
14 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ray Davis: 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 Ray Davis at 35%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Ray Davis: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Ezekiel Elliott and Ray Davis is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 PPG with the Dallas Cowboys across 14 games, and Ray Davis posted 7.8 with the Buffalo Bills in 15.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns; Ray Davis posted 425 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Ezekiel Elliott has his bye in Week 7, and Ray Davis rests in Week 12. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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

Did You Know?

  • Ray Davis outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ray Davis played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means Ray Davis contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Ray Davis scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatEzekiel ElliottRay Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)7.27.8
Games Played1415
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)101117
Rushing Yards452425
Rush Yds/Game32.328.3
Rushing TDs33
Receptions1822
Receiving Yards128168
Targets00
Total TDs34
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 12

Summary

7.8 PPG for Ray Davis versus 7.2 for Ezekiel Elliott in 2025. The baseline favors Ray Davis, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ezekiel Elliott or Ray Davis in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ray Davis has the edge at 7.8 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 Ray Davis average in 2025?

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Ray Davis outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 0.6 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.