Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Woody MarksWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Woody Marks's 8.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is the better play on a neutral week. 11.0 PPG with 970 yards gives a reliable baseline. Woody Marks at 8.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft James Conner higher, but do not fade Woody Marks entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

RBHouston Texans#36

Woody Marks

PPG

8.3

Games

Rush Yds

703

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

208

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Woody Marks

Head to Head

11.0 PPG8.3 PPG

14 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Woody Marks: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Woody Marks at 38%. That ranking gap means Woody Marks carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Woody Marks: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between James Conner and Woody Marks for your lineup, you are not alone. James Conner finished the 2025 season at 11.0 PPG for the Arizona Cardinals (14 games), and Woody Marks averaged 8.3 for the Houston Texans (16 games).

That 2.7-point weekly advantage for James Conner is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; Woody Marks posted 703 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: James Conner is off Week 11 and Woody Marks Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Woody Marks (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Conner outscored Woody Marks by a projected 46 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Woody Marks played 16 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. That durability gap means Woody Marks 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 Woody Marks: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Woody Marks
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	8.3
Games Played	14	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	133
Rushing Yards	752	703
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	43.9
Rushing TDs	5	2
Receptions	28	24
Receiving Yards	218	208
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	6	5
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Conner at 11.0 PPG, 2.7 points per game above Woody Marks's 8.3. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Conner or Woody Marks in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 PPG compared to Woody Marks's 8.3 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 Woody Marks average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.7 points per game.

When are James Conner and Woody Marks's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Woody Marks (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Woody Marks a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Woody Marks by 2.7 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.