Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs J.K. DobbinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to J.K. Dobbins's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, James Conner and J.K. Dobbins are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.0-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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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBDenver Broncos#25

J.K. Dobbins

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

772

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Conner

J.K. Dobbins

Head to Head

11.0 PPG11.0 PPG

14 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). J.K. Dobbins: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #25 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and J.K. Dobbins at 50%. That ranking gap means J.K. Dobbins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs J.K. Dobbins: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG over 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while J.K. Dobbins clocked in at 11.0 across 10 appearances for the Denver Broncos. A 0.0-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; J.K. Dobbins posted 772 and 4. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: James Conner is off Week 11 and J.K. Dobbins Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. J.K. Dobbins (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored J.K. Dobbins by a projected 0 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to J.K. Dobbins's 10. 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

James Conner vs J.K. Dobbins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	J.K. Dobbins
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	11.0
Games Played	14	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	110
Rushing Yards	752	772
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	77.2
Rushing TDs	5	4
Receptions	28	11
Receiving Yards	218	37
Targets	0	14
Total TDs	6	4
Age	-	27
Experience	-	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 0.0 points per game above J.K. Dobbins's 11.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or J.K. Dobbins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to J.K. Dobbins'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 James Conner and J.K. Dobbins average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. J.K. Dobbins averaged 11.0 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.0 points per game.

When are James Conner and J.K. Dobbins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and J.K. Dobbins (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or J.K. Dobbins a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored J.K. Dobbins by 0.0 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.