Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs RJ HarveyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to RJ Harvey's 10.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. James Conner edges RJ Harvey by 0.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, James Conner goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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#27

RJ Harvey

PPG

10.8

Games

Rush Yds

540

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

356

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Conner

RJ Harvey

Head to Head

11.0 PPG10.8 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). RJ Harvey: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and RJ Harvey at 49%. That ranking gap means RJ Harvey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs RJ Harvey: The Full Breakdown

The gap between James Conner and RJ Harvey is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG with the Arizona Cardinals across 14 games, and RJ Harvey posted 10.8 with the Denver Broncos in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

RJ Harvey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 47 targets into 356 yards, while James Conner profiles as a more traditional rusher with 752 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats RJ Harvey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, and RJ Harvey 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. RJ Harvey (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored RJ Harvey by a projected 3 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•RJ Harvey played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means RJ Harvey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•RJ Harvey scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.7 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•RJ Harvey caught 47 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs RJ Harvey: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	RJ Harvey
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	10.8
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	184
Rushing Yards	752	540
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	31.8
Rushing TDs	5	7
Receptions	28	47
Receiving Yards	218	356
Targets	0	58
Total TDs	6	12
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 10

Summary

James Conner outscored RJ Harvey by 0.2 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 10.8). 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 RJ Harvey in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to RJ Harvey's 10.8 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.

How many fantasy points did James Conner and RJ Harvey average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. RJ Harvey averaged 10.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.2 points per game.

When are James Conner and RJ Harvey's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is James Conner or RJ Harvey a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored RJ Harvey by 0.2 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.