Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Samaje Perine's 6.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Ezekiel Elliott edges Samaje Perine by 0.7 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, Ezekiel Elliott 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#99PPG LEADER

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

7.2 PPG6.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine clocked in at 6.5 across 15 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 0.7-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; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine Week 6. 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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. That durability gap means Samaje Perine 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	6.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	98
Rushing Yards	452	285
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	19.0
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	18	24
Receiving Yards	128	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	3
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ezekiel Elliott holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.2 points per game. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 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 Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Samaje Perine by 0.7 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.