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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott or Tyjae SpearsWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Ezekiel Elliott over Tyjae Spears in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) and Tyjae Spears (6.9) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Ezekiel Elliott and Tyjae Spears are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-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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Track Ezekiel Elliott and Tyjae Spears live in the DraftCall app.

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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

RBTennessee Titans#48

Tyjae Spears

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

283

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

264

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Tyjae Spears

Head to Head

7.2 PPG6.9 PPG

14 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Unranked RB. Tyjae Spears: Tier 6 (Deep League) RB (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Tyjae Spears at 31%. Their per-game production is close enough that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Tyjae Spears: The Full Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) and Tyjae Spears (6.9 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; Tyjae Spears suited up 13 times for the Tennessee Titans.

A 0.3-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.

Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Ezekiel Elliott profiles as a more traditional rusher with 452 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ezekiel Elliott sits Week 7 while Tyjae Spears is off Week 9. 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. Tyjae Spears (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Tyjae Spears by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Tyjae Spears's 13. 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.
•Tyjae Spears caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs Tyjae Spears: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Tyjae Spears
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	6.9
Games Played	14	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	90
Rushing Yards	452	283
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	21.8
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	18	45
Receiving Yards	128	264
Targets	0	50
Total TDs	3	2
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

7.2 PPG for Ezekiel Elliott versus 6.9 for Tyjae Spears in 2025. The baseline favors Ezekiel Elliott, 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 Tyjae Spears in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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 Tyjae Spears in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Ezekiel Elliott and Tyjae Spears come off the board in the same range, so take whichever fits your roster build. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Tyjae Spears's 6.9, a gap of under a point. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Ezekiel Elliott and Tyjae Spears average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Tyjae Spears's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyjae Spears (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Tyjae Spears a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Tyjae Spears by 0.3 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.