Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Zonovan KnightWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Zonovan Knight's 6.8 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 Zonovan Knight by 0.4 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

RBArizona Cardinals#99

Zonovan Knight

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

269

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

160

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Zonovan Knight

Head to Head

7.2 PPG6.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

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

Ezekiel Elliott vs Zonovan Knight: The Full Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott (7.2 PPG) and Zonovan Knight (6.8 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; Zonovan Knight suited up 12 times for the Arizona Cardinals.

A 0.4-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns; Zonovan Knight posted 269 and 4. 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 Zonovan Knight is off Week 11. 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. Zonovan Knight (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Zonovan Knight by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Zonovan Knight's 12. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Zonovan Knight scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs Zonovan Knight: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Zonovan Knight
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	6.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	82
Rushing Yards	452	269
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	22.4
Rushing TDs	3	4
Receptions	18	22
Receiving Yards	128	160
Targets	0	31
Total TDs	3	5
Age	-	25
Experience	-	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 11

Summary

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Zonovan Knight by 0.4 PPG in 2025 (7.2 to 6.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ezekiel Elliott or Zonovan Knight in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 PPG compared to Zonovan Knight'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 Zonovan Knight average in 2025?▾

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

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Zonovan Knight's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Zonovan Knight (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Zonovan Knight a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Zonovan Knight 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.