Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

George Kittle vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

George Kittle is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to James Conner's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

George Kittle is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, George Kittle (12.1 PPG) is the higher-floor play. James Conner (11.0 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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TESan Francisco 49ers#3PPG LEADER

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

George Kittle

James Conner

Head to Head

12.1 PPG11.0 PPG

11 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 1 (Elite) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) RB in most league formats.

George Kittle vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Comparing George Kittle (TE, San Francisco 49ers) against James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. George Kittle averaged 12.1 PPG in 2025 over 11 games, while James Conner posted 11.0 PPG across 14 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

George Kittle has his bye in Week 8, James Conner in Week 11. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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: George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•George Kittle outscored James Conner by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•George Kittle scored 7 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at tight end.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

George Kittle vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	George Kittle	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.1	11.0
Games Played	11	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	133	154
Rushing Yards	-3	752
Rush Yds/Game	-0.3	53.7
Rushing TDs	0	5
Receptions	57	28
Receiving Yards	628	218
Targets	69	0
Total TDs	7	6
Age	32	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 11

Summary

12.1 PPG for George Kittle versus 11.0 for James Conner in 2025. The baseline favors George Kittle, 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 George Kittle or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, George Kittle has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 George Kittle and James Conner average in 2025?▾

George Kittle averaged 12.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are George Kittle and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.