Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Miles SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Miles Sanders's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. James Conner outscored Miles Sanders by 5.3 PPG in 2025 with 6 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Conner is the clear pick. Miles Sanders profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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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

RBDallas Cowboys#56

Miles Sanders

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

117

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Miles Sanders

Head to Head

11.0 PPG5.7 PPG

14 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Miles Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #56 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Miles Sanders at 26%. That ranking gap means Miles Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Miles Sanders: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between James Conner and Miles Sanders for your lineup, you are not alone. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games), and Miles Sanders averaged 5.7 for the Dallas Cowboys (4 games).

That 5.3-point weekly advantage for James Conner is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Miles Sanders posted 117 and 1. 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 Miles Sanders Week 14. 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

James Conner is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Miles Sanders 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. Miles Sanders (age 29, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Miles Sanders by a projected 90 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Miles Sanders's 4. 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 Miles Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Miles Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	5.7
Games Played	14	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	23
Rushing Yards	752	117
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	29.3
Rushing TDs	5	1
Receptions	28	8
Receiving Yards	218	30
Targets	0	8
Total TDs	6	1
Age	-	29
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 5.3 points per game above Miles Sanders's 5.7. 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 Miles Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Miles Sanders's 5.7 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 Miles Sanders average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Miles Sanders averaged 5.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 5.3 points per game.

When are James Conner and Miles Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Miles Sanders (DAL) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Miles Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Miles Sanders by 5.3 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.