Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to James Conner's 11.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

Josh Jacobs is the better play on a neutral week. 14.6 PPG with 1,211 yards gives a reliable baseline. James Conner at 11.0 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Josh Jacobs higher, but do not fade James Conner entirely.

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

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RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

11.0 PPG14.6 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between James Conner and Josh Jacobs is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Arizona Cardinals running back put up 11.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers averaged 14.6 in 15. A 3.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.6 points favors Josh Jacobs, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Both share a Week 11 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Josh Jacobs is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. James Conner is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored James Conner by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 11 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	14.6
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	219
Rushing Yards	752	929
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	61.9
Rushing TDs	5	13
Receptions	28	36
Receiving Yards	218	282
Targets	0	44
Total TDs	6	14
Age	-	28
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 11

Summary

14.6 PPG for Josh Jacobs versus 11.0 for James Conner in 2025. The baseline favors Josh Jacobs, 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 James Conner or Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 James Conner and Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

Do James Conner and Josh Jacobs share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Conner and Josh Jacobs share a Week 11 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is James Conner or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored James Conner by 3.6 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.