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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

James Conner or Travis KelceWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start James Conner over Travis Kelce in 2026.

James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 to Travis Kelce's 9.1, a 1.9 point per game edge. Conner posted that edge in only 14 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability.

The Bottom Line

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Conner (11.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Travis Kelce (9.1 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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Track James Conner and Travis Kelce live in the DraftCall app.

App StoreGoogle Play
RBArizona CardinalsPPG LEADER
James Conner
PPG
11.0
Games
14
Rush Yds
752
Rush TDs
5
Rec
28
Rec Yds
218
Bye
Week 11
TEKansas City Chiefs#10
Travis Kelce
PPG
9.1
Games
17
Rec
76
Rec Yds
851
Rec TDs
5
Targets
108
Bye
Week 5

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
James Conner
Travis Kelce

Head to Head

11.0 PPG9.1 PPG
14 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Unranked RB. Travis Kelce: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #10 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. An Unranked RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

James Conner vs Travis Kelce: The Full Breakdown

Comparing James Conner (RB, Arizona Cardinals) against Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City Chiefs) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games, while Travis Kelce posted 9.1 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, Travis Kelce in Week 5. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

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. Travis Kelce (age 36) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

  • •James Conner outscored Travis Kelce by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • •Travis Kelce played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Travis Kelce 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.
  • •Travis Kelce caught 76 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 Travis Kelce: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJames ConnerTravis Kelce
PPG (Half-PPR)11.09.1
Games Played1417
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)154155
Rushing Yards7521
Rush Yds/Game53.70.1
Rushing TDs50
Receptions2876
Receiving Yards218851
Targets0108
Total TDs65
Age-36
Experience-12 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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  • DraftCall opening screen. Plain-English fantasy help, from your first draft to game day.
  • Compare screen. Pick any two players and DraftCall calls it in seconds, with PPR, half, standard, and TE premium scoring toggles.
  • Verdict screen. A start-or-sit call between two quarterbacks with a confidence percentage, a confidence meter, and the key factors behind the decision.
  • Verdict detail. Boom and bust projection ranges for both players, then a stat-by-stat tale of the tape covering points per game, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.
  • Quick Add screen with the microphone live. Say a player name and DraftCall fills the roster slot, with a level meter showing it listening.
  • My Team screen. Every starter with points per game, opponent, and recent form, plus a combined lineup total for the week.
  • Bye Week Planner. A season grid showing which week each player is off, with the trouble weeks where more than one starter is out called out below it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Travis Kelce in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Travis Kelce's 9.1 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 Travis Kelce in 2026 fantasy football?▾

They come off the board at different positions, so weigh James Conner's 11.0 fantasy points per game against Travis Kelce's 9.1 and what your roster still needs at TE. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did James Conner and Travis Kelce average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Travis Kelce averaged 9.1 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are James Conner and Travis Kelce's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Travis Kelce (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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