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Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

James Conner or Roschon JohnsonWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Conner over Roschon Johnson in 2026.

James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 to Roschon Johnson's 8.1, a 2.9 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 2.9-PPG advantage is real (11.0 to 8.1), and James Conner's 6 touchdowns show scoring upside. Roschon Johnson 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

RBChicago Bears

Roschon Johnson

PPG

8.1

Games

Rush Yds

445

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Roschon Johnson

Head to Head

11.0 PPG8.1 PPG

14 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Unranked RB. Roschon Johnson: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Roschon Johnson at 37%. That per-game gap means James Conner carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Roschon Johnson: The Full Breakdown

James Conner and Roschon Johnson 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 Roschon Johnson posted 8.1 PPG in 14 appearances for the Chicago Bears.

A 2.9-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; Roschon Johnson posted 445 and 4. 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 Roschon Johnson is off Week 7. 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

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. Roschon Johnson (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Roschon Johnson by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Roschon Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Roschon Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	8.1
Games Played	14	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	113
Rushing Yards	752	445
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	31.8
Rushing TDs	5	4
Receptions	28	22
Receiving Yards	218	168
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	5
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 7

Summary

James Conner outscored Roschon Johnson by 2.9 PPG in 2025 (11.0 to 8.1). 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 Roschon Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Roschon Johnson's 8.1 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 Roschon Johnson in 2026 fantasy football?▾

James Conner is the earlier pick. He averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Roschon Johnson's 8.1, a 2.9 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 Roschon Johnson average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Roschon Johnson averaged 8.1 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are James Conner and Roschon Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Roschon Johnson (CHI) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Roschon Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Roschon Johnson by 2.9 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.