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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

James Conner or Jerome FordWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Conner over Jerome Ford in 2026.

James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 to Jerome Ford's 8.4, a 2.6 point per game edge. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

James Conner has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 2.6-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 8.4), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jerome Ford is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBArizona CardinalsPPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBCleveland Browns

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

11.0 PPG8.4 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Unranked RB. Jerome Ford: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Jerome Ford at 38%. That per-game gap means James Conner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) came in at 8.4 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 2.6-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. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Jerome Ford posted 582 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, and Jerome Ford rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

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: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jerome Ford (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Jerome Ford by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jerome Ford played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Jerome Ford 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

James Conner vs Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	8.4
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	126
Rushing Yards	752	582
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	38.8
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	28	28
Receiving Yards	218	215
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	4
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 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 James Conner or Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Jerome Ford's 8.4 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 James Conner or Jerome Ford in 2026 fantasy football?▾

James Conner is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Jerome Ford's 8.4, a 2.6 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did James Conner and Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are James Conner and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Jerome Ford (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Jerome Ford by 2.6 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.