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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

James Conner or Ray DavisWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Conner over Ray Davis in 2026.

James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 to Ray Davis's 7.8, a 3.2 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 3.2-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 7.8), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Ray Davis 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

RBBuffalo Bills

Ray Davis

PPG

7.8

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Ray Davis

Head to Head

11.0 PPG7.8 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Unranked RB. Ray Davis: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Ray Davis at 35%. That per-game gap means James Conner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Ray Davis: The Full Breakdown

James Conner and Ray Davis are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG across 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals, while Ray Davis posted 7.8 PPG in 15 appearances for the Buffalo Bills.

A 3.2-PPG gap gives James Conner the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Ray Davis posted 425 and 3. 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: James Conner sits Week 11 while Ray Davis is off Week 12. 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. Ray Davis is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ray Davis (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Ray Davis by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ray Davis played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Ray Davis 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 Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Ray Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	7.8
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	117
Rushing Yards	752	425
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	28.3
Rushing TDs	5	3
Receptions	28	22
Receiving Yards	218	168
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	4
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

James Conner outscored Ray Davis by 3.2 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 7.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Ray Davis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Ray Davis's 7.8 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 Ray Davis in 2026 fantasy football?▾

James Conner is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Ray Davis's 7.8, a 3.2 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 Ray Davis average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are James Conner and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Ray Davis by 3.2 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.