Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Isiah Pacheco vs James ConnerWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 11.0 PPG and 970 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Isiah Pacheco (6.0 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Isiah Pacheco as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBKansas City Chiefs#54

Isiah Pacheco

PPG

6.0

Games

Rush Yds

462

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

101

Bye

Week 5

RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Isiah Pacheco

James Conner

Head to Head

6.0 PPG11.0 PPG

13 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Isiah Pacheco: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #54 at the position). James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Isiah Pacheco is producing at 27% of elite pace and James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Isiah Pacheco carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Isiah Pacheco vs James Conner: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) finished the 2025 season averaging 6.0 fantasy points per game in 13 games. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) came in at 11.0 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 5.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Isiah Pacheco ran for 462 yards and 1 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. 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: Isiah Pacheco sits Week 5 while James Conner 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

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Isiah Pacheco is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Isiah Pacheco (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Isiah Pacheco by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Isiah Pacheco's 13. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Isiah Pacheco vs James Conner: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Isiah Pacheco	James Conner
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.0	11.0
Games Played	13	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	78	154
Rushing Yards	462	752
Rush Yds/Game	35.5	53.7
Rushing TDs	1	5
Receptions	19	28
Receiving Yards	101	218
Targets	26	0
Total TDs	2	6
Age	27	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 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 Isiah Pacheco or James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Isiah Pacheco's 6.0 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 Isiah Pacheco and James Conner average in 2025?▾

Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Isiah Pacheco and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Isiah Pacheco (KC) has a bye in Week 5, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Isiah Pacheco or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Isiah Pacheco by 5.0 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.