Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Tony PollardWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Tony Pollard's 10.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, James Conner and Tony Pollard are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

RBTennessee Titans#30

Tony Pollard

PPG

10.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,082

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

206

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Tony Pollard

Head to Head

11.0 PPG10.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Tony Pollard: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #30 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Tony Pollard at 45%. That ranking gap means Tony Pollard carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Tony Pollard: The Full Breakdown

The gap between James Conner and Tony Pollard is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.0 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 Tony Pollard posted 10.0 with the Tennessee Titans 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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Tony Pollard posted 1082 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, and Tony Pollard rests in Week 9. 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. Tony Pollard (age 29, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Tony Pollard by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tony Pollard played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Tony Pollard 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.
•Tony Pollard caught 33 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 Tony Pollard: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Tony Pollard
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	10.0
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	170
Rushing Yards	752	1,082
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	63.6
Rushing TDs	5	5
Receptions	28	33
Receiving Yards	218	206
Targets	0	41
Total TDs	6	5
Age	-	29
Experience	-	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 9

Summary

11.0 PPG for James Conner versus 10.0 for Tony Pollard in 2025. The baseline favors James Conner, 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 Tony Pollard in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Tony Pollard's 10.0 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 Tony Pollard average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Tony Pollard averaged 10.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are James Conner and Tony Pollard's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Tony Pollard (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Tony Pollard a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Tony Pollard by 1.0 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.